Dennis Udoma, Uyo
A plot to stop the inauguration of new Vice-Chancellor, University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Prof. Enefiok Essien, from going ahead on Tuesday, December 1, has been uncovered.
A source in the University who did not want his name in print told Global Patriot Newspapers that, the clandestine moves to halt the Vice Chancellor designate from taking over is allegedly orchestrated by supporters of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Comfort Memfin Ekpo.
“I can confirm to you very clearly and straight forward that, it’s not rumour but a reality that the camp in support of the outgoing VC, Prof. Comfort Ekpo has hatched a plot to disrupt the successful takeover of the administration of the university of Uyo by the new VC, Prof. Enefiok Essien come Tuesday December 1, and all plans have been put in place to ensure that the ceremony does not take place.
“So, whatever issues or disruptions of that activity that might take place, we are letting the world know today that, that plot is meticulously hatched by the sitting VC and her cohorts,” the source said.
When asked further to establish how the outgoing VC is behind the moves, he said, “Before it was a rumour or insinuations but the latest letter she has written to the Minister of Education, has shown that she had been behind it all this while.”
The letter according to the source is a call to the presidency and Minister of Education to ensure that the VC designate does not takeover on December 1 because of the so called indictment which of course in law we know as obiter.
Our source, a frontline member of ASUU, dismissed such allegation, stressing that Essien was never indicted in any such case in the institution.
It could be recalled that Essien had in 1995, caught a female student engaged in examination malpractice and handed her over to the panel in-charge of such matters.
The suspect, it was gathered, had appealed the case which was subsequently overturned on the grounds that the University has no jurisdiction over criminal matter and the student was reinstated.
Essien, at a recent press conference on the matter, also explained that he was never summoned in the case, talk less of being indicted.
It was gathered that the outgoing VC had to resort to these petitions and lawsuit, arguing that the new VC emerged through a warped process and urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to stop his swearing-in on December 1, 2015 because of the said matter which had since been determined by the Appeal Court.
He described the new VC as a man of peace and order and called on the security agencies to be on the alert to forestall incidences that may arise noting that, being outgoing VC does not give Prof. Ekpo the power to decide who the next Vice Chancellor would be and that the selection of a new VC is the job of the Governing Council headed by the Pro-Chancellor.
He said that what Prof. Ekpo is carrying out currently is a personal vendetta. The statutory body charged with the selection of a new VC has carried out its function under the law establishing the institution, he stressed, arguing that with her actions, we are forced to believe that she is suffering from the hangover of the loss of her preferred successor in that election and who would have covered up some of the things that happened that she would not want the world to know during her administration as Vice-Chancelor.
According to the source, Mrs. Ekpo’s clandestine plot to stop the swearing-in of her successor could be clearly understood from the petition letter she wrote through the Minister of Education to the Presidency, demanding non recognition of Essien as her successor, alleging that the new VC-elect was indicted in a case of unholy alliance with a female student caught in exam malpractice.
The Governing Council which conducted the interview with the Senate had pointed out that the process of selecting the new VC went through the due process as enshrined in the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment ) Act 2003,
According to the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Prof. Kimse Okoko during a press conference in Uyo on the issue recently explained that at the commencement of the exercise on April 28, 2015, 19 applicants had indicated interest, adding that a shortlist of 11 applicants were cleared for the contest, but three scaled the hurdle at the selection interview jointly administered by the Senate and the Council of the institution.
After the test, Essien came top, having scored the highest number of votes to beat Prof, Ben Oghojiafor and Prof, Okon Ansa, respectively.
He noted that throughout the whole period that the exercise lasted “the Selection Board did not receive any petitions from anybody or group against Prof. Essien”, adding that the only petition received against Prof. Ansa, was treated and thrashed out by the Board during interaction session.
“Therefore, it is most insulting for some faceless and homeless so called reporters to advance the wicked, senseless and pitiful accusation that the process was compromised. It is sad. May I add for the umpteenth time that I have never been corrupt and shall eternally remain incorruptible”, he stressed.
The Pro-Chancellor had dismissed such moves to stop the swearing-in of the new VC, saying the University would stop at nothing to swear-in Prof. Essien to succeed the outgoing VC, on the said date adding, “Appointment of VCs is the exclusive preserve of the Governing Council”.
The outgoing VC, Prof. Comfort Ekpo could not be reached for comments at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, a valedictory session organized by the institution for the outgoing VC is slated for Monday at Onyeama Okechukwu Hall at Town campus of the university preceding the change of baton on Tuesday.
