The decision by the Governing Council of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), to relocate the interview for the institution’s 7th Vice-Chancellor from the university campus to Abuja has drawn criticism from stakeholders.
The move, approved by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr Fidelis Edeh, was conveyed in a statement on Wednesday, giving candidates one week to prepare for the exercise in the Federal Capital Territory.
A former Secretary to the Abia State Government, Dr Eme Okoro, faulted the decision, describing it as unnecessary and capable of sending the wrong signal about the security situation in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Okoro argued that relocating the exercise to Abuja could create the impression that Abia State was unsafe.
“For Edeh to move the sitting of the Council from Umuahia to Abuja with the attendant cost and inconvenience to the aspirants suggests insecurity,” he said.
He maintained that Governor Alex Otti and security agencies in the state were capable of addressing any security concerns, if such existed.
Okoro also questioned why the council chairman did not exhaust consultations with relevant stakeholders before taking what he described as a weighty decision.
“By implication, the Council Chairman is telling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Gov Alex Otti that they cannot secure a small place like a university campus for the council to hold a meeting for the purpose of selecting a vice-chancellor,” he said.
The former SSG further called on the council to rescind the decision, warning of possible consequences and urging transparency in the selection process.
However, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Fidelis Edeh, defended the relocation, stating that it was within the council’s powers to determine its meeting venue.
“The governing council, by its mandate, has a reason to hold its meeting anywhere it chooses to hold. So, we have not done anything that is outside the regulations,” Edeh said.
He clarified that the chairman does not act unilaterally, noting that decisions are taken collectively by the council.
“In fact, part of what we ought to be doing is even rotating our meetings across states in the South-East. We can hold our meeting anywhere. There are people who even hold their meetings outside the country,” he added..
The development has generated reactions amid estimates that more than N50 million could be spent on logistics for over 40 council members and management staff if the exercise is conducted in Abuja.
The controversy underscores broader concerns about cost, transparency and governance practices in federal universities as the institution prepares to appoint its next vice-chancellor.
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