The race to the new Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Ibadan (UI) on Tuesday took a new dimension as the Coalition for Autonomy of Universities in Nigeria (CAUN) wants two Professors disqualified from being appointed as members of the senate representatives.
The group in a statement made available to The Precision NG on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, however applauded the UI new Governing Council for bringing integrity into the election process by ensuring transparency and due diligence.
The group in the statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ayanteju Olaolu stated that the Coalition has been watching the John Odigie-Oyegun led council with keen interest in the steps taken thus far in ensuring that there is fairness and justice for all the contestants.
The Coalition urged the Council to continue to remain neutral by creating a level playing ground for all the contestants so that the best candidate will emerge at the end of the exercise.
The group also called the attention of the Council to the forthcoming election into the Senate Representatives with respect to Prof. Peter Olapegba and Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola who it said were already compromised in favour of a VC candidate in the last aborted exercise.
It added that they need to be excused in the forthcoming election to maintain the integrity of the process.
“This is in the public glare in the university community as an SMS went viral from Prof. Ayoola meant for Prof Ayodele, Dean of Science but sent to Prof Ayodele of Ecotourism in error depicting the process already compromised in favour of a candidate.
The group in a statement reproduced the controversial SMS message as highlighted below:
“Good morning. As promised, our two candidates for selection committee are Prof Peter Olamakinde Olapegba and Prof Ezekiel Ayoola. Pls campaign for them separately . And never link them formally with Prof Adebowale. Election is on 21 Sept. Thanks. Prof Ayodele.
“We thank God my Dean. We can see that God already answered our prayers. It shall be permanent. Greetings to Adebowale, our wonderful candidate. His papers/ application is second to none. We shall celebrate today. Regards
We thank God “
“Messages like the one above ahead of the election already prejudged the outcome of the election and thus tainted the process, which the Governing Council must guide against.
“CAUN is of the opinion that many aspirants are not happy that another town hall meeting is being organised, hence the boycott on Monday.
“The Coalition, however, appeal to the governing council to guide the integrity of the electioneering process jealously by looking into the issues raised in this statement to avoid falling into the pit dug by the past council. Let’s learn from history,” the statement read.
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