Armed security personnel weekend invaded the University of Calabar, disrupting the quadrennial congress and election of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) branch in the institution.

The attackers reportedly stormed the congress venue shortly after national officers of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities arrived to supervise the exercise at the University of Calabar.

The delegation was led by the Deputy National President, Leku Ador, who represented the National President.

Other members of the delegation included the National Vice-President (South-South), Comrade Cheta Azuma; National Treasurer, Comrade Uchenna Nwokeji; and National Trustee, Comrade Monday Izu.

Their visit was to conduct elections and preside over the union’s congress, a statutory exercise held every four years to review performance and elect new branch executives.

Before proceeding to the congress venue, the national officers paid a scheduled courtesy visit to Vice-Chancellor Offiong Offiong to formally notify the university management of their mission.

However, the Vice-Chancellor was reportedly unavailable and was represented by a Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Sources within the union said the delegation waited for several hours without clarity on approval for the congress venue. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor later informed the team that although the Vice-Chancellor had approved the congress, the venue had not been formally cleared, citing unspecified security concerns.

Union officials said the Deputy Vice-Chancellor claimed to have received intelligence suggesting that disgruntled persons might disrupt the meeting.

He allegedly asked the national officers to sign an undertaking accepting responsibility for any security breach before the venue could be opened, a condition the union leaders reportedly declined.

Interpreting the development as an attempt to delay or frustrate the exercise, the SSANU delegation proceeded to the congress venue, where members had already assembled.

The national officers were warmly received, and the gathering commenced with solidarity songs.

Trouble, however, erupted when armed men suddenly appeared and ordered the congress to stop, allegedly claiming they were acting on the Vice-Chancellor’s directive.

The Incident triggered panic among members, but union officials insisted on continuing with the process.

National Treasurer, Sir Uchenna Nwokeji, said the union resisted intimidation and went ahead with its constitutional duties despite the disruption.

He added that due to the tense situation, the congress resolved to extend the tenure of the existing executive by three months, in line with SSANU constitutional provisions.

The union leadership alleged that the disruption was linked to attempts by certain interests within the institution to influence the outcome of the election and install preferred candidates.

The national officers maintained that they would not compromise constitutional procedures.

Reacting to the allegations, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Eyo Effiong, denied that armed thugs were deployed to disrupt the congress.

He said those present were regular university security personnel assigned to maintain order and protect lives and property.

The incident has heightened tensions within the university community and cast a spotlight on labour-management relations under the new Vice-Chancellor, who assumed office less than three months ago.

SSANU officials described the development as unfortunate and warned that interference in union activities could destabilise industrial harmony in the institution. (BusinessDay)