In a bid to express their profound grievances and disappointment over what they claimed was the imposition of a new vice chancellor on the university, the Academic Staff Union of Universities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University staged a peaceful protest in the school compound to oppose the selection process of the new vice-chancellor on Tuesday, 29th October, 2024.
Amidst the protest, UNIZIK governing council Chairman and pro-chancellor of the institution, Amb. Grey Mbadiwe, alongside the vice chancellor selection team proceeded with the selection process at a hotel situated in Awka, a location considered inappropriate by the union.
In his speech while addressing the state journalists, the chairman of ASUU, UNIZIK branch, Prof. Kingsley Oborji alleged that Amb. Mbadiwe was attempting to impose a vice chancellor who is not affiliated with the school, and called for due process so as to maintain law and order in the school.
#Prof. Oborji further called on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and saved the school from intending abnormalities and instabilities, which formed the major cause of their action.
The protesters carried placards with different inscription revealing their demands which included: “ ASUU-NAU wants due process”,” Amb. Greg Respect Our University”, “Tinibu Call Greg to Order” Chancellors Are Not Appointed Hotel” among others.
Similar to the protest of the ASUU-NAU, the Medical and Dentist Council of Nigeria (MDCAN), UNIZIK claimed that it violates the court order which was to suspend the election pending the determination of substantive suit, as stated by the MDCAN secretary, Dr. Sunday Oriji.
The UNIZIK governing council appointed. Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, a professor of geophysics as the 7th substantive vice chancellor of the University among eighteen (18) applicants.
