The Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE-Ekiti) has warned the leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in the institution to desist from peddling falsehood and malicious propaganda against the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina.

The Special Adviser on Media to the VC, Dr. Wole Balogun, in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, accused the union of spreading baseless rumours that the VC was involved in political manoeuvering ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State after it had failed in its earlier attempt to malign Fasina with false allegations of sexual harassment.

The university said that “such claims are indeed laughable, unfortunate and utterly false,” called on SSANU national leadership “to caution its errant members and put an end to further acts of political blackmail or attempts to malign the reputation of Prof. Fasina and the institution”.

It threatened that “any continuation of such defamatory or destabilizing behaviour would attract appropriate legal and disciplinary action in accordance with established procedures”.

Balogun, in the statement noted, “Prof. Fasina is an academic and administrator of high repute, not a politician. His record of integrity and professionalism is unquestionable”.

SSANU members from FUOYE, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, had at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Monday night sought the removal of the VC.

The SSANU members accused the VC of ordering the arrest of six FUOYE SSANU members, including the branch chairman, Faleye Benjamin, and alleged that the VC was plotting to destabilize industrial relations within FUOYE and by extension, create unrest in Ekiti State, alleging that his actions were politically motivated.

The union stated, “Fasina wants to turn Ekiti State into a theatre of conflict to discredit the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and disrupt the forthcoming governorship election.”

But the university described the accusations as “lies from the pit of hell. If anyone should be investigated for plans to disrupt the peace or the forthcoming election in Ekiti State, it should be these local SSANU leaders, not Prof. Fasina.

“Prof. Fasina has always been a law-abiding, peace-loving academic. Since assuming office on 11 February 2021, several elections have been held in Ekiti State without any controversy involving him. The allegations being circulated are baseless, mischievous, and politically motivated,” the statement concluded.

“Prof. Fasina’s record in public service remains unblemished, particularly in matters relating to elections”, Balogun said, citing his role as the Independent National Electoral Commission Returning Officer for the Imo State Governorship Election, which was widely acknowledged as one of the most peaceful and transparent polls in recent Nigerian history.

The university, while putting straight the records, said “it was some members of the FUOYE SSANU leadership who attempted to disrupt a peaceful meeting of staff held on 14 October 2025, convened by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Ndoma Egba (SAN).

“The violent conduct of these individuals was witnessed by other union leaders, staff members, and security operatives, who even recorded video evidence of their actions

“Following the incident, security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, invited the erring SSANU officials for questioning.

“However, reports indicate that even at the Office of the Commissioner of Police, the individuals displayed further unruly and disrespectful behaviour.

“The same characters who now parade themselves as defenders of justice have a well-documented record of insubordination and violence,” FUOYE stated.

There has been a crisis in the university for some time following a standoff between the VC and SSANU over sundry issues. (The PUNCH)