By SAMSON NWAFOR

A group, Network of Concerned Citizens for Education Stability in Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter, has raised the alarm, over what it termed an alleged plot to edge out all Ebonyi Professors who applied for the post of the vice- chancellorship of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, in order to install a non-Ebonyi Professor as Vice-Chancellor of the institution for the third time.

The group accused the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba and his brother who is the Minister of State for Education of being behind the plot.

The State Coordinator of the group, Dr. Ogbuagu Emeka Chima who briefed Journalists over the development in Abakaliki on Wednesday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari as well as other critical stakeholders to ensure that the process of selecting the next Vice Chancellor of the institution was saved from manipulative tendencies.

Ogbuagu who stressed that Ebonyi had qualified Professors to be appointed as Vice Chancellor of the University, said it would not be a crime to have Ebonyi native as the next Vice Chancellor of the institution.

He expressed optimism that if the process was allowed to be transparent, nothing would make all applicants from Ebonyi State to lose out.

He alleged that the process of selecting the next Vice Chancellor of the school in line with conventional law, ought to have been concluded this year, 2020, as others did, lamenting that in order to perfect the alleged plot to scheme out Ebonyi people from emerging, the process was being dragged to January 2021 when the current VC should be preparing to hand over.

Dr. Ogbuagu further argued that all the federal Universities established same year with AE-FUNAI and others have gotten indigenous Vice Chancellors and wondered why that of the institution would be different when there are Ebonyi Professors qualified for the post.

He stressed that it was a commonplace in line with conventional law of University administration that incoming Vic Chancellor would be successfully selected at least two months before the exit of the incumbent, alleging that irregularities have taken over the whole process and vowed to lead public peaceful protest if not checked.

“I wonder why out of the 25 Professors of Ebonyi State origin who applied for the Vice Chancellorship post, we can’t find a qualified candidate after about 11 years of existence of the University in Ebonyi State.

“It is no longer hidden that Prof. Nwajiuba and his brother, the Minister have vowed to use their powers and connections to impose a non indigene on the University as Vice Chancellor. Of course, I can state without fear of contradictions that the AE-FUNAI VC has severally said that Ebonyi State has not gotten a Professor with the capacity to be the Vice Chancellor of the University.

“I can give 10 names of federal universities, including those established at the same time with AE-FUNAI that are currently being headed by indigenous Vice Chancellors.

“Universities like UNN Nsukka’s VC is from Enugu State, UNIZIK’s VC from Anambra State, UNICAL VC from Cross River State, UNIUYO VC from Akwa Ibom State, UNILAG VC from Lagos State, MOUA VC from Abia State, Federal University, Lokoja VC from Kogi State and many others that have gotten indigenous Vice Chancellors.

“Why will the case of AE-FUNAI become different, just because people want to manipulate the system to favour their own interest? But we vow to resist that attempt. If the process is transparent and an Ebonyi man didn’t make it, we will not complain, but by all indications, the process is not transparent”, he stated.

He called on all Ebonyians to rise up and condemn the activities of those who are bent on denying Ebonyi their rightful benefits as that would likely lead to serious mayhem in the area.

“This warning is very stern and Ebonyians cannot allow injustice and manipulations to continue to deny them sensitive benefits. We call on the President, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council and indeed all stakeholders to hear this and call those involved in maneuvering the system against Ebonyi people to desist from it, else, we will be forced to match to the street in peaceful protest”, Dr. Ogbuagu further stated.

The Vice Chancellor could not be reached to react to the allegations as of the time of filing this report as his phone line was switched off.

Recall that the AE-FUNAI established about eleven years ago has had Professor Ibidapo Obe from the western region as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor and Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba from Imo State as the second Vice-Chancellor.

Nwajiuba, the current Vice-Chancellor is expected to handover to a new Vice-Chancellor in February 2021 when his 5-year tenure will elapse. (Daily Independent)

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