The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Alumni Association has protested against the appointment of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Salisu Buhari, as a member of the institution’s Governing Council.
The association argued that the former speaker was not fit for the position.
They therefore called on President Goodluck Jonathan to “remove or drop” him from the governing council.
The Legal Adviser of UNN Alumni association (Lagos branch), Mr. McMalachu Ugwummadu, in a statement on Monday described the action of the Federal Government as embarrassing.
Buhari was the first elected speaker of the House of Representatives in 1999 upon the return of civil rule in Nigeria, but was impeached, having been tried and convicted of forging a certificate purportedly obtained from the University of Toronto, Canada.
Ugwummadu said, “Although he was allegedly pardoned by the Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, yet such alleged pardon does not detract from the fact that he was once convicted for a criminal offence of forgery and misconduct.
“The integrity of the University of Nigeria conceived by its visionary leader, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and founded on high academic and moral grounds with a distinctive mission statement and motto: ‘To restore the Dignity of Man’ cannot afford to parade men and women of questionable characters in her Governing Council.
“Such would be antithetical to the objectives and the high moral pedestal on which the institution is founded. To be sure, the appointment of Mr. Salisu Buhari, is ill advised, unmeritorious, completely condemnable and accordingly rejected.”
The legal practitioner argued that as a proud alumnus of UNN, he feels thoroughly scandalized by the thoughts and decision of the Jonathan administration to embarrass the entire university community and her alumni with such “unmeritorious appointment.”
According to him, Buhari’s appointment like the Alamieyeseigha’s pardon has sent a very clear signal that crimes and criminal activities were not only condoned but rewarded under the present administration.
Ugwummadu said, “As an institution that is resolute on the quality and content of its graduates particularly in learning and character, this development constitutes a dangerous set back as the signal already created is one that justifies moral transgressions and misrepresents the values for which the institution is known and associated.
“Mr. President, as the Visitor of the university, is enjoined to invoke his powers under Sections 14 and 15 of the University of Nigeria Act Laws of the Federation and remove or drop Mr. Salisu Buhari from the Governing Council of the University.”
