The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Chapter, Anambra State, has raised the alarm over a looming crisis following alleged plans by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe will foist the already predetermined candidate as vice chancellor.
The union warned that if unchecked, the pro-chancellor’s alarming dictatorial tendencies might breach industrial peace at the university.
The Chairperson, ASUU NAU, Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji, who stated these on Tuesday, called the Chief of Staff to the President and Minister of Education to rein in the Pro-Chancellor to avert chaos in the institution.
He also expressed concerns over unconfirmed reports of a meeting of the institution’s Governing Council at the instance of the Minister for State for Education without the internal component of the University, describing the meeting as an exercise in futility.
“We learned from unconfirmed information that the Minister for State, following our letters, is inviting the Governing Council of our university to Abuja for a meeting this Friday.
“Unfortunately, we found out that it’s only the external members and the acting VC were invited to the meeting without the internal component of the University.
“We feel it’s very wrong because without the internal component of the Council and ASUU members being part of that meeting, then the meeting is incomplete and will be unfruitful.
“It’s also important to note that the Acting VC is under the directive of the Pro-Chancellor and may not speak up on the welfare of our members. That’s why ASUU members who have always stood for their members’ welfare should be involved in such meetings,” he said.
Addressing newsmen at the ASUU-NAU secretariat, Ubaoji said certain external political forces are determined to subvert due process in the appointment of university principal officers.
He maintained that ASUU, as the major stakeholder in the university system, cannot stand aloof as the institution is rubbished on the altar of some individuals’ overvolting ambitions.
Uba-Orji accused the Pro-Chancellor of consistently disregarding the authority of the Council, acting unilaterally, and making decisions without proper consultation and approval. According to him, this behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines the principles of democratic governance and accountability.
He said that by continuing to take unilateral actions, ignoring the contributions of others, particularly representatives of the internal constituencies of Senate, Congregation, and Convocation, or disregarding their views and contributions, the Chairman is undermining the collective decision-making process and disregarding the concerns of these Council members and, by extension, the people they represent.
