A coalition of 25 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing controversy surrounding the selection of a Vice Chancellor for the University of Abuja (UniAbuja).
The call was made during the presentation of their report at the university’s main gate.
Dr. Wisdom Ohalete Chinedu, who spoke on behalf of the group, criticised the recent protests by some professors at the university, describing their actions as unnecessary and counterproductive. The CSOs accused the protesting professors of trying to undermine the reputation of the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Aisha Maikudi.
“We wish to begin by expressing unequivocally, our frustration and disappointment over the recent protest by some professors from University of Abuja over the appointment of a substantive vice chancellor in the institution.
“It is an absurdity and a direct attack on due process, betrayal of their experience, and direct assault on the globally demanded agenda to have more women and youths in leadership,” said Chinedu.
The CSOs further condemned the protesting professors, calling their actions a “vexatious and demeaning absurdity” aimed at serving narrow interests.
“In a long time, Nigerians have not seen professors involved in such a vexatious and demeaning absurdity, just to satisfy certain quarters that believe it is their exclusive right to decide what happens in the educational system. This act in academic circles is preposterous and requires to be nipped in the bud by ensuring that punishments are handed to those involved in the dance of shame.”
The coalition also raised concerns over alleged manipulations in UniAbuja’s leadership selection processes and stressed the importance of ensuring a fair process.
“The antecedents of leadership selection in the University of Abuja suggest that many have been victims of such satanic manipulation which eventually denied them their rights to be at the very top echelon of their careers. Hence, there is a need to step in and ensure a competent hand is not denied her opportunity to bring greatness to the institution.”
The CSOs addressed claims of Southern exclusion from the selection committee, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
“After looking dispassionately at the allegations, we discovered that the claim that southerners were not included in the selection committee was untrue and it’s a desperate attempt to discredit the process, acting on the script of their sponsors,” Chinedu said.
The coalition urged President Tinubu to take swift action to protect Professor Maikudi, whom they described as the most qualified candidate for the role.
“We demand that President Bola Tinubu, through the Honourable Minister of Education, wade into the ensuing crisis and give needed protection for the acting vice chancellor who is a victim of ethnic gang-up, political orchestration, and desperate power mongers in the University of Abuja. This will prevent any attempts to ridicule his efforts in promoting youth and women’s leadership.”
The coalition made further demands, including that the Nigeria Police invite the alleged troublemakers to serve as a deterrent to others, and that the Minister of Education establish a truth and reconciliation panel to address the post-VC selection conflicts.
“We demand that the Minister, after announcing Prof. Aisha Maikudi as recommended by us, should set up a truth and reconciliation panel for the post-VC tussle era,” the coalition concluded.
