Ikeugonna Eleke who monitored happenings in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka last weekend reports that it was akin to a palace coup as the governing council of the institution removed Prof Joe Ikechebelu as acting Vice Chancellor, and in his stead, appointed Prof Carol Umobi.
The event of Saturday, July 19, shocked the University Community as what can be likened to a palace coup took place. This reporter who had been hinted of a possible removal of Ikechebelu had rushed to the institution to witness what was to be the first meeting of the newly constituted Governing Council of the University, led by Amb Greg Mbadiwe.
As this reporter drove through the institution’s gate, he found out it was blocked by a huge detachment of heavily armed soldiers, but the reporter managed to get through to the Administrative Building of the University where the atmosphere was already tensed.
He was just in time to notice the Chairman of the Council alight from his vehicle and greeted by the former Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Joe Ikechebelu. Together, both men made their way into the Council Chambers for the meeting to commence.
Meanwhile, there had been rumours that the Council meeting was not supposed to hold that day. This was because a meeting of the Senate the previous day, which called for the Council meeting, was deemed not to have been properly constituted.
A press statement had earlier been circulated which showed that 24 professors of the University convened the Senate meeting of the institution without the authority of the Acting Vice Chancellor, who is the leader of the Senate.
A source within the University said: ‘How can 24 professors of the University convene the Senate of the institution without the knowledge of the Vice Chancellor? Even at that, 24 is an infinitesimal number compared to the number of professors in this university. There are over 500 professors in this university,’ the source fumed.
As much as it was considered abnormal, the Senate went ahead to shortlist two candidates for the position of Acting Vice Chancellor, for the Council to choose one as a replacement for Ikechebelu.
The candidates chosen were Professor Carol Arinze-Umeobi, whose date of birth was given as 7 July 1957, and retirement Date as 7 July, 2027. Another was Professor F. J. C. Odibo, with date of birth as 13 April 1955 and Retirement Date 13 April 2025.
Fides learnt that relying on the shortlisted names, the Chairman of Council attempted to lead the Council during the meeting to choose between the two, when a rowdy session was witnessed, leading to a stalemate and the meeting ended abruptly.
However, what looked like a coup later happened when members of the Council were dispersing. Right beside his car at the car park, the Chairman was said to have drawn a letter, signed it and presented to Prof Umobi as the new Acting Vice Chancellor.
There had been condemnationS over the act, with many saying that the action was more like a pre-planned act. Other described the removal of Ikechebelu as unlawful, as he was on an acting capacity, and queried the rationale for replacing an Acting Vice Chancellor with another Acting Vice Chancellor, instead of quickly commencing the process for the appointment of a substantive.
But Mbadiwe, in a press release later, cleared the air on the activities in the University. He said: ‘I write to address the recent misinformation circulating regarding the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Professor Joseph Ikechebelu was never appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor by the Council. He merely oversaw the office temporarily, following NUC directives, pending Council’s inauguration,
‘The Council, in response to ASUU NAU’s appeal, directed the nomination of former Deputy Vice-Chancellors aged 65-70 for the Acting Chancellor position. Despite Council’s directive, there was reluctance to convene an emergency Senate meeting.
‘Concerned Senators of the University, numbering over 35, acting on The Doctrine of Necessity, convened an emergency Senate meeting and forwarded two names of former Deputy Vice-Chancellors to the Council. The Senate took this action to avoid a constitutional logjam and to prevent the university from eminent anarchy and collapse.
‘The Council has appointed Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi as the new Acting Vice-Chancellor, we expect Professor ikechebelu to hand over officially to Professor Arinze Umobi immediately. Failure to do so will be considered an act of insubordination.
‘The Council is aware of the court challenge regarding the involvement of dissolved 9th Council internal members and has advised them to step aside pending the court’s decision. We assure all stakeholders that the Council’s actions are in the best interest of the University’s growth and development. The Council will address any acts of insubordination in its next meeting.
‘We remain committed to ensuring peace, sanity, and progress at Nnamdi Azikiwe University,’ Mbadiwe said.
Meanwhile, calm seems to have returned to the University as Prof Ikechebelu, last Monday, handed over to Prof Carol Umobi in a rancour-free atmosphere.
The Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor on Media, Dr Emma Ojukwu, who briefed journalists immediately after the handover, said Umobi would act for a non-renewable term of six months, and would not be a part of the contest for a substantive Vice Chancellor.
His words, ‘I have been directed to brief you on happenings in the University. As you all know, the Acting VC has taken office this morning. She is in the office now meeting with students of the University.
‘You also know that Prof Joe Ikechebelu who was removed last Saturday was only directed to assume on temporary capacity, pending when the Council will appoint Acting VC and the Council has done so.
‘Council has directed that Ikechebelu who was deputy VC, Admin, should oversee the University pending the appointment of an Acting VC.
‘I must say that someone who is directed to oversee the university does not equate with the Acting Vice Chancellor.
‘There are misrepresentations that there are two Acting Vice Chancellors in the University, but no one was appointed until now, and the recently constituted Council of the University has just been appointed and also taken over.
‘The Chairman of the Council has just fulfilled its first assignment by picking an Acting Vice Chancellor.
‘The Council said anyone who will contest to be substantive will not be acting so that everyone will get equal playing ground.
‘ASUU advises that it will not be good for Ikechebelu to act, when he has interest in being a substantive. If Ikechebelu wishes to contest, he should know that the advert will be out soon and he can apply.’
Fides however gathered that Ikechebelu has reverted to his previous position as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, of the University.
