Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Cyprain Onyeji
Vice-Chancellor
of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Cyprain
Onyeji, and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have clashed over
the appointment of deans of faculties in the institution and non payment
of salary arrears.
The rivalry, our correspondent gathered
on Monday, started shortly after the suspension of the nationwide strike
of ASUU on December 17.
It was learnt that before the strike was
called off, the ESUT vice-chancellor had directed that the suspended
deanship elections into faculties where elections were due should be
conducted on Monday, December 23.
His directive was contained in a
memorandum by the Registrar,which also stated that nominations already
received for the elections remained valid and that further nominations
were to be accepted from interested persons until 3pm on Friday,
December 20.
However, the leadership of ASUU kicked against the scheduled date for the election, in a letter to the vice-chancellor.
The ASUU-ESUT, in a letter to the
vice-chancellor, dated December 19, 2013, notified him of the resolution
of its congress on December 18.
The union also stated that the election
could not hold on the scheduled date, due to non-compliance with the law
establishing the state-owned university.
The Chairman of ASUU-ESUT, Prof. Gab
Agu; Secretary, Dr. O.J Odo, and five other members of the branch
executive signed the letter.
The letter cited the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Law Cap 74, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
It read, “Where an election is to hold, a
notice of election shall be sent at least three weeks before the
election, and shall also be pasted on the faculty notice board.”
The union stated that “the name of
candidates for election as well as the proposers and seconders shall be
published within 24 hours after the close of nominations.”
It added,“The import of the above is that the election will not be ripe for contest on Monday, the December 23, 2013.
“It is the view of ASUU-ESUT that the
earlier forms collected remain invalidated by the ASUU strike that
aborted the same. It cannot be ressurected after its death by
administartive fiat. ASUU strike was suspended by ASUU NEC on Tuesday
17/12/2013 and by ASUU-ESUT on Wednesday 18/12/2013. The effective date
therefore for commencement of collection of forms can only be December
18, 2013, when the ASUU strike was suspended. Any form collected before
that date is therefore null and void as something cannot be built on
nothing.”
The ESUT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Cyprian Onyeji, could not be reached for comments.
When contacted, the Pro-Chancellor, Chilo Offiah, said he wanted to contact the vice-chancellor before making any comments.
Meanwhile, the congress of ASUU-ESUT on Monday vowed not to be intimidated “by underhand tactics of the vice chancellor.”
However, tension mounted when Agu read out a text message he allegedly received from Prof. Onyeji.
It reads, “Dear Chairman, ASUU-ESUT, I
learnt you fixed ASUU congress on Monday to discuss deanship election,
the same time the management had earlier scheduled that the election
should hold. I take it that you are challenging constituted university
authorities.
“Your congress must not clash with the
period of scheduled deanship election. Any candidate who feels that the
conduct of the elction is improper is free to petition and an
appropriate committee will be set up to investigate it. That is how it
is done. University administration is not run by unionism and nobody
should hide under ASUU to advance personal interest.”
Those who attended the congress (Monday) included Prof. C.J.C. Akubuilo, Prof. Ike Oluha, Prof. Onyehalu and Prof. Olewe.
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