The race for the coveted position of Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has narrowed down to two professors.

More than 20 professors began the race to succeed outgoing VC, Prof. Boniface Egboka, but only the duo of Prof. Greg Nwakoby of the Faculty of Law and Prof. Joseph Ahaneku of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of the university are still standing.

Until last week, Nwakoby was said to be on the lead, but the alleged sudden interest of the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, on who becomes the next VC of UNIZIK has brought the 2015 presidential election into the picture. UNIZIK is a federal university named after Nigeria’s first President, the late Rt. Hon. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Information gathered by News Express has it that the Imo Governor is rooting for Prof. Ahaneku who, incidentally, is from Mbaise in Imo State. Okorocha is said to be reaching out to some members of the Governing Council of the institution in a bid to achieve his goal.

Speaking to journalists, a notable member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Awka said that all the intrigues concerning the appointment of the next VC of UNIZIK were part of the strategy for the 2015 election, adding that Governor Okorocha, who is of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was trying to ensure that his trusted person emerges as the VC in view of its political implications in next year’s election.

According to him, “We want to draw the attention of the Presidency to this development. The UNIZIK VC race is part of the 2015 campaign and the federal government might not be aware that those in charge of selecting the VC may be falling into the hands of opposition political parties.

“It is politically and strategically wise to dismantle all obstacles that will create undue political tension in this university during the 2015 presidential election by appointing a vice chancellor that will not sabotage the presidential election in 2015.”

•Photo shows outgoing UNIZIK VC, Prof. Boniface Egboka.