UNAD ASUU gives Fayemi 48 hours ultimatum to rescind decision on sacked VC

By Gbenga Ariyibi
The removal of the Vice Chancellor, University of Ado Ekiti, Prof Dipo Kolawole and other Vice Chancellors from two sister universities in the state has drawn the reaction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) UNAD chapter, as the university teachers have kicked against the action of the state government, given Dr Kayode Fayemi, the state governor 48 hours to rescind his decision or face a legal action.

The UNAD Vice Chancellor, Prof Dipo Kolawole, USTI VC, Prof Samuel Oye Bandele and TUNEDIK VC, Prof Akin Ogunlade and the Provost of College of Education, Dr Titilayo Ogunmola were sacked by the order of the visitor to the institutions and state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday.

However the UNAD ASUU said the sack of the institution ‘s VC  did not follow due process. Speaking at a press briefing in Ado Ekiti Thursday, the chairman of the UNAD ASUU, Dr Ayan Adeleke and his Vice, Dr Sola Afolayan noted that the union met on Wednesday after the order of the state governor and noted that the law guiding the appointment of the VC, as contained in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 of the University was duly followed for the appointment of Prof Kolawole, noting that the VC could only be removed through a joint meeting of the University Senate and Council.

According to ASUU officials, whenever both the joint meeting of the senate and the Council intend to remove  the university VC based on any act of misconduct, they would invite the affected VC to defend himself.

According to the teachers, after this defence, if the VC is indicted, they would make a recommendation to the governor, as a visitor, the governor, would according to them sanctioned the VC.

ASUU, said Kolawole was not indicted by the senate or council for any known offence, adding that their current position was based on the past agreements they have reached with the state government that there should be university autonomy.

“The purported removal of the UNAD VC appears rather malicious, hence illegal. It is therefore adjudged by the ASUU as null and void.

“The action in all its entity contravenes all the legal avenues available to carry out such a legally sensitive action” ASUU said.