Posted by By Vincent Ujumadu on
Authorities of Abia State University allegedly halted the search for a new Vice Chancellor of the institution who originally was expected to assume office by the end of September this year.
UMUAHIA-Authorities of Abia State University allegedly halted the search for a new Vice Chancellor of the institution who originally was expected to assume office by the end of September this year.
Source told Vanguard that the incumbent whose tenure expires on September 30 has already decided to hand over to his deputy, Prof. Chinyere Nwahunanya who will act as VC pending the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor.
It was gathered that the latest move is to pave the way for the search for a new VC to start afresh sometime in December.
According to the source, Prof. Anthony Nwabughogu who came first both in the referendum conducted by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and in the governing council interview would no longer be eligible to contest because he would clock 60 years on November 22 this year.
Although Vanguard gathered that authorities of the university were already making moves to persuade the visitor to the university and governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu not to announce the appointment of a new VC over alleged malpractices during the interview, there were indications that Kalu would not buy the idea since he had said earlier that the most qualified person should get the job.
It is not clear why authorities of the university wanted to jettison the result of the interview conducted earlier, although one school of thought said it may not be unconnected with the pending court case involving Prof. Nwabughogu who came first in the interview.
Nwabughogu had gone to court in 2000 to clear his name of allegations of wrong-doing levelled against him by the visitation panel.
He won his case, but still had to appeal against the judgement because the court did not grant the compensation he sought.
It was however gathered that following persuasion by some well-meaning people in Abia State, he withdrew the case in 2001. But in a surprise move, the university, last year, appealed against the original judgement at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt and the matter has since been adjourned to February, 2006.