UNIABUJA: Professors Protest Alleged Imposition Of Aisha Maikudi As VC
…Security agents attacked journalists
The crisis of the selection and appointment of a Vice Chancellor for the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), took a new turn on Tuesday as some of the professors of the institution demonstrated against what they described as “moves to impose an ineligible candidate”.
The selection of a new Vice-Chancellor (VC), followed the exit of Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah after the completion of his tenure.
It was gathered that some powerful forces within and outside the University community are determined to impose Professor Aisha Maikudi as the new VC.
However, some of the professors of the institution are vehement in their opposition to the emergence of Professor Aisha Maikudi based on the fact that she did not meet the criteria clearly outlined the advertisement for the selection of a new VC.
The concerned professors moved on Saturday, December 24, 2024 and protested against what they described as the “deliberate attempt to impose an ineligible candidate” in the person of Prof. Aisha Maikudi.
Those opposed to Maikudi alleged that she only had two years of professional experience thus, cannot be imposed on professors who are far her seniors.
One of the professors was seen shouting on top of his voice saying; “It is not possible. We will never allow somebody who is ineligible to preside over our academic affairs.
“This is a university environment. Enough of this academic imposition,” he screamed.
While the demonstration was ongoing, security agents were immediately drafted to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Some journalists who were on ground to cover the protest were manhandled by the security personnel as one of their vehicles was vandalised.
The professors said they had no choice than to come out to protest following reports of a scheduled ‘Emergency Senate Meeting’ targeted at replacing some of the Senate members who refused to endorse the imposition of Maikudi.
The professors opposed to the alleged imposition of Maikudi said that the desperados wanted to take advantage of the holidays, when most members of the Senate have travelled, to hold a kangaroo session to replace Governing Council members opposed to the imposition of Maikudi with a view to select her as the next VC of the University.
