Group condemns Kwara Govt’s move to appoint Acting KWASU VC

A group, Kwara Community for Qualitative Education has condemned the State Government’s action in appointing Acting Vice-Chancellor for the Kwara State University, Malete (KWASU).

The group also accused the state government of arm twisting the Governing Council of the University to endorse the illegal appointment of an acting Vice Chancellor for the institution.

The Group’s Secretary, Ishaq Abu, said this in a statement in Ilorin on Wednesday.

He said that the government has summoned the KWASU Governing Council to a meeting at the Government House on Friday where they would be directed to endorse the appointment of Prof. Kenneth Adeyemi as acting VC.

Abu also rejected the government’s claim, made through Barrister Abdullahi Alikinla, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science & Technology that it acted within the law in appointing the acting Vice Chancellor.

According to Abu, there was no time the Governing Council was consulted on the matter and neither did it recommend the appointee as required by law.

“The law is very clear on how a Vice Chancellor or anyone acting in that capacity should emerge.

“In the case of a VC retiring before the appointment of a substantive replacement, the position is that the Deputy VC Administration will act.

“In the case of KWASU, the Governing Council has commenced the process of appointing a replacement for the incumbent VC, before the tenure of the incumbent expires in July.

“The council had advertised for qualified candidates to apply and the period of application closes today, May 8.

“Therefore, the council has been implementing an orderly process for the nomination of a substantive VC.

“Therefore, the appointment of an acting VC by the state Governor at this time is not only unlawful but uncalled for.

 “The government action seems aimed at forcing out the substantive VC whose tenure expires in July, without any recommendation from the Council.

“The illegality and desperation become too apparent when you discover that this is coming just when the Council has advertised the position of the VC and is proceeding with finding a replacement in line with the extant law,” Abu added.

Abu commended the governing council for the instant rejection of the government’s action.

He said the harassment of the outgoing VC, Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, Abu could precipitate academic unrest and set the school back.

“The governor knows he doesn’t have the powers to appoint an Acting VC for the school without prior recommendation from the Governing Council.

“Is there something the Governor is not telling the public? he queried.