Vice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Cyprain Onyeji, and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have clashed over the appointment of deans of faculties in the institution and non payment of salary arrears.
The rivalry, our correspondent gathered on Monday, started shortly after the suspension of the nationwide strike of ASUU on December 17.
It was learnt that before the strike was called off, the ESUT vice-chancellor had directed that the suspended deanship elections into faculties where elections were due should be conducted on Monday, December 23.
His directive was contained in a memorandum by the Registrar,which also stated that nominations already received for the elections remained valid and that further nominations were to be accepted from interested persons until 3pm on Friday, December 20.
However, the leadership of ASUU kicked against the scheduled date for the election, in a letter to the vice-chancellor.
The ASUU-ESUT, in a letter to the vice-chancellor, dated December 19, 2013, notified him of the resolution of its congress on December 18.
The union also stated that the election could not hold on the scheduled date, due to non-compliance with the law establishing the state-owned university.
The Chairman of ASUU-ESUT, Prof. Gab Agu; Secretary, Dr. O.J Odo, and five other members of the branch executive signed the letter.
The letter cited the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Law Cap 74, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
It read, “Where an election is to hold, a notice of election shall be sent at least three weeks before the election, and shall also be pasted on the faculty notice board.”
The union stated that “the name of candidates for election as well as the proposers and seconders shall be published within 24 hours after the close of nominations.”
It added,“The import of the above is that the election will not be ripe for contest on Monday, the December 23, 2013.
“It is the view of ASUU-ESUT that the earlier forms collected remain invalidated by the ASUU strike that aborted the same. It cannot be ressurected after its death by administartive fiat. ASUU strike was suspended by ASUU NEC on Tuesday 17/12/2013 and by ASUU-ESUT on Wednesday 18/12/2013. The effective date therefore for commencement of collection of forms can only be December 18, 2013, when the ASUU strike was suspended. Any form collected before that date is therefore null and void as something cannot be built on nothing.”
The ESUT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Cyprian Onyeji, could not be reached for comments.
When contacted, the Pro-Chancellor, Chilo Offiah, said he wanted to contact the vice-chancellor before making any comments.
Meanwhile, the congress of ASUU-ESUT on Monday vowed not to be intimidated “by underhand tactics of the vice chancellor.”
However, tension mounted when Agu read out a text message he allegedly received from Prof. Onyeji.
It reads, “Dear Chairman, ASUU-ESUT, I learnt you fixed ASUU congress on Monday to discuss deanship election, the same time the management had earlier scheduled that the election should hold. I take it that you are challenging constituted university authorities.
“Your congress must not clash with the period of scheduled deanship election. Any candidate who feels that the conduct of the elction is improper is free to petition and an appropriate committee will be set up to investigate it. That is how it is done. University administration is not run by unionism and nobody should hide under ASUU to advance personal interest.”
Those who attended the congress (Monday) included Prof. C.J.C. Akubuilo, Prof. Ike Oluha, Prof. Onyehalu and Prof. Olewe.