The University of Abuja has found itself at the center of a brewing crisis following allegations of procedural irregularities in the selection process for a new Vice-Chancellor.
Reports indicate that the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, has allegedly taken unilateral steps to replace an elected member of the Joint Selection Board, raising questions about due process and transparency in the institution.
The controversy began when the University Senate elected Prof. Kasim Waziri and Prof. Rosemary Udeozo on October 9th to represent them on the Joint Selection Board tasked with appointing a new Vice-Chancellor.
However, recent developments suggest that Prof. Waziri's position may have been compromised.
Sources reveal that Prof. Maikudi has forwarded another name to the Governing Council to replace Prof. Waziri, a move critics claim is designed to influence the selection process in her favor.
These accusations intensified following reports that Prof. Waziri and Prof. Udeozo walked out of a recent Joint Selection Board meeting, citing alleged procedural violations by the Chairman, who also serves as the University's Pro-Chancellor.
Witnesses claim that during the meeting, the Chairman allegedly attempted to impose a process aimed at positioning Prof. Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The walkout by the two professors underscored their disapproval of what they deemed an illegitimate process.
In a further twist, Prof. Maikudi reportedly convened an extraordinary Senate meeting on Friday to address the situation.
At this meeting, she announced that Prof. Waziri, despite his remote participation via Zoom, was deemed absent and thus should be replaced.
Observers noted that the meeting, which lasted only 20 minutes, left no room for deliberation, with the Acting Vice-Chancellor allegedly walking out after a motion to replace Prof. Waziri was seconded by a close ally.
Critics argue that this action violated established Senate rules, which require adequate notice for meetings.
According to reports, the notice for Friday's meeting was issued at 1:20 PM, just 40 minutes before the meeting was scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM.
However, the Acting Vice-Chancellor did not arrive until after 3:00 PM.
This timeline has further fueled accusations of procedural irregularities and a deliberate attempt to undermine Senate rules.
In addition, the Governing Council was reportedly called to an extraordinary meeting later that same day to ratify the Acting Vice-Chancellor's proposed replacement for Prof. Waziri.
A notice signed by Adenola R. O. on behalf of the Acting Registrar stated that the meeting would take place at 5:00 PM in the Vice-Chancellor's Conference Room.
The short notice and the timing of the meeting have drawn criticism from members of the Council, who described the situation as chaotic and a blatant disregard for due process.
One Council member, speaking to SaharaReporters, expressed frustration with what they termed "absolute lawlessness and reckless disregard for the rule of law."
They noted that the short notice effectively excluded Council members who were not in Abuja at the time.
The member further emphasized the need for urgent intervention to prevent the erosion of institutional integrity at the University of Abuja.
Prof. Waziri, when contacted, confirmed the events and expressed concern over the handling of the selection process.
He stated that the Acting Vice-Chancellor's actions violated Senate rules, which stipulate that adequate notice must be given for meetings.
Prof. Waziri recounted his experience during the extraordinary Senate meeting, where he joined remotely via Zoom.
He claimed that despite his repeated attempts to confirm his presence, his participation was ignored.
"They raised a motion that I was not present and should be replaced," he said.
"When I tried to speak, they did not recognize me, and the Acting Vice-Chancellor abruptly ended the meeting after the motion was seconded."
The unfolding crisis has cast a shadow over the University's selection process for a new Vice-Chancellor.
Stakeholders have called for a thorough investigation into the allegations of misconduct and a review of the procedures employed in the selection process.
As the Governing Council moves forward with interviews for shortlisted candidates, concerns about transparency and fairness remain at the forefront.
The University of Abuja, a leading institution in Nigeria, now faces mounting pressure to uphold its reputation and ensure that the selection process is conducted with integrity.
Failure to address these concerns could have lasting implications for the University's governance and credibility.
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