Prof Au Noneyelu has petitioned the Chairman of the Governing Council/Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, to issue an appointment letter to him for the office of Vice-Chancellor of the university.
In a five-page petition, Noneyelu described it as unjust and an injustice to leave him, who scored 132 points in the University Senate selection test/election, to appoint Prof Carol Arinze-Umobi, who came distant second with 79 points.
He alleged that the governing council Chairman became biased in the criteria for the selection of the acting VC when he snuggled in the inclusion of a female amongst those who would contest the position.
Describing the selection of Prof Carol Umobi as a predetermined act, Noneyelu said he would not challenge the matter in court but would hand over everything to God to fight for him.
However, the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University had swiftly debunked Noneyelu’s claims, clarifying that there is no enabling law or statute that permits any university organ( Senate) to elect either an acting or substantive Vice-Chancellor.
In a statement issued in Awka, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, said: “We urge the general public and the university community to disregard the unfounded piece of news of the purported election of an Acting Vice-Chancellor( Noneyelu) as infantile desperation by some elements within the university community.
It does not represent the true position of the state of affairs, and we would not sit idly and allow some desperadoes to usurp the powers of the Council or the Visitor to the University.”
The Council cited Section 1(13) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions, Amendment) Act 2003, which mandates the Governing Council to appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice-Chancellor.
This development comes against the backdrop of significant leadership instability at Unizik, with three Acting Vice-Chancellors and one substantive Vice-Chancellor within a year.
The tumultuous period saw Professor Bernard Odoh’s brief tenure as substantive VC, which ended in his removal.
This led to Prof Joseph Ikechebelu’s reappointment as Acting VC.
Previously, Ikechebelu had acted as VC, was removed, and then handed over to Prof Carol Arinze-Umobi, who in turn handed over to Odoh.
Odoh’s tenure was cut short when he was sacked by the Federal Government under controversial circumstances within three weeks.
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