Provide Level Playing Field For All VC Candidates, ASUU Tells Governing Council

The University of Ibadan Chapter of the Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU), on Sunday absolved itself from the protest organized by some members of NASU and SSANU over alleged planned imposition of next Vice Chancellor by the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka.

The Union in a special bulletin of the ASUU-UI dated October 30, 2020, signed by Ayoola Akinwole and Chris Omoregie, Chairperson and Secretary respectively and made available to Journalists in Ibadan on Sunday, stated that, “Having observed that a protest was carried out on Wednesday October 28, 2020 around the Senate and Council Chambers of the University by members of the NASU and SSANU in the University of Ibadan.

“The Executive of the branch met on Friday, 30 October, 2020, deliberated on the incidence and resolved as follows;

“That members of ASUU-IJI were not part of the protest, contrary to reports in some press outlets.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the disruption of the meeting of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan that was convened to conclude the selection of the next Vice-Chancellor of the University.

“That the practice of protesters, assaulting, attempt to assault or outright molestations of members of the Academic Staff Union of the University, UI Branch, shall henceforth be vehemently resisted.

“Reaffirms our earlier appeal to the Governing Council University of Ibadan that a level playing ground be given in the appointment of the next

Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan in order to protect the sanctity of the University autonomy”.

Individuals and unions in the institution have alleged that the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka that he is making all efforts to ensure that his anointed candidate who is among the six final shortlisted emerge as the Vice- Chancellor

The protest by the workers, according to Investigation is not unconnected from the release of the name of the six candidates who made the shortlist out of those jostling for the seat.

The workers who had blocked all entry and exit into the institution were seen chanting various Aluta songs like ‘we no go gree oo, we no go gree, Imposition we no go gree.

They also held placards with instructions like, “Impose Adebowale and shut down UI for six years, ” “we shall never work with Alatise again among others”.

The selection Board had released the names of six candidates that made the shortlist.

The list includes a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Femi Mimiko.

Mimiko, who is of the department of political science, and VC of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, between 2010 and 2015 is the only non staff among the six (6) nominated from the initial eighteen (18).

Others are the current deputy vice-chancellor, Kayode Adebowale, a former DVC, Abideen Aderinto, Olusegun Ademowo, Olatunde Farombi and Babatunde Salako, all of whom are the institution’s professors.