Ondo varsity ASUU divided over petition calling for VC sack

The Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State was at the weekend plugged into crisis following the disagreement between members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the petition written against the Vice Chancellor, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, to the state government.

The chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the institution, Dr. Sola Fayose, had written Governor Rotimi Akeredolu asking him to sack the embattled VC after accusing him of mismanagement of the institution’s fund and other malfeasance in office.

Daily Times gathered that the written petition raised some administrative allegations against professor Ajibefun which also called for his immediate probe and sack from the office.

Our correspondent reported that part of the allegations raised against the embattled Vice Chancellor was illegal recruitment of staffs in the school without following statue quo.

“Illegal recruitment of academic and non academic staff by the authorities of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) without following laid down procedures for employment, procurement of N650 million science equipment that is obsolete,” it read in part.

However, some aggrieved members of ASUU in the school have raised concerns and also kicked against the petition their Chairman wrote against the VC.

The members declared that the ASUU Chairman’s action lacked merit and was carried out in bad will noting that there was no congress meeting where such decision was taken to write petition against the Vice Chancellor.

The aggrieved members also declared that Dr. Sola Fayose does not have the mandate of the members of ASUU in the institution to write a damning petition against Professor Ajibefun.

Among those who spoke to journalists at the weekend in Akure were, the Dean of Post-Graduate School and Director of University/Community Relations, Prof. C. A. Daramola, the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Science and incumbent Director, Centre for Research and Development, Prof. Victor Olumekun.

They vehemently alleged Dr. Fayose of mixing politics with ASUU business in the campus of the institution.

According to Prof. Olumekun, the ASUU Chairman acted as an individual and not as leader of the union.

He explained that no executive member of the academic union has the sole right to take action without first intimating and getting the permission of members.

“I am a financial member of ASUU and I am deeply embarrassed that the chairman could cloak a personal action in the garb of unionism.

“There was no forum where members of the union were intimated and their approval sought as stipulated in ASUU rules.

“Let me add that most of the allegations raised in the said petition, which I never saw but have read about, are issues that the Vice Chancellor has nothing to do with.

“They reportedly said he bought science equipment that is obsolete; it’s a bundle of lies. I was Dean of Science when the equipment in question were bought and supplied. It was a TETFund project over which the University has little control and were bought and supplied in 2014 before Prof. Ajibefun became VC.

“Other allegations are spurious at best as they are issues that have been trashed out at different fora.

“I believe that the ASUU Chairman has a personal agenda or axe to grind with the Vice Chancellor, and I don’t think he should use his position to cloak his intentions.”

In his own submission, Dr. Francis Gbore said Fayose has the right to write the petition as a member of staff of the University to the Visitor to the Institution, but that for him to do so as Chairman of ASUU, he ought to intimate members and get their consent before carrying out any action on behalf of the union.

“I think it was patently wrong for such a petition to be written ostensibly on behalf of the union without recourse to its members.”

Another member, Dr. Olusola said, “This is a gross violation of the tradition which ASUU is known for. A particular Professor from the Chairperson’s home town said on the floor of the Congress that the Vice Chancellor would be sent packing within 76 days of his party winning the guber election.

“Now that election has been won, it appears the petition single-handedly written by the branch chairperson is a confirmation of what his kinsman said.

“Adekunle Ajasin University has a sad history of instability which ASUU as a reputable and responsible union should be worried about.

“In 2016, academic activities were shut down for almost six months. The academic calendar that was supposed to have ended by September, 2016 was completed in February 2017. This is unfortunate!”

They, however, all maintained that the written petition was not supported by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the institution while insisting that the Chairman acted alone in such manner.