· Nwajiuba again, indicates Interest
The struggle for who succeeds the current Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Owerri Prof. Victoria Adaobi Obasi whose tenure will elapse, December 30th, is said to have taken a dangerous dimension as all the contenders with subtle and obvious interests have resorted to all kinds of manipulative antics and strategies to enable them grab the coveted position, which will be vacant in few days.
In the heat of the battle of wits, some members of the academic community have expressed disgust at the attitude and gluttonous acquisition tendency of the Minister of State for Education, Barr . Emeka Nwajiuba who they said, has also indicated interest in who occupies the position, without recourse to laid down rules, regulations and guidelines.
A source in the University who spoke to Nigeria Watchdog on condition of anonymity, said, “ it is disheartening that Nwajiuba who had earlier appropriated all positions for himself, his siblings and associates still wants to create the same problem he created in Okigwe Zone and the APC in the Imo State University. The All Progressive Congress in Imo State, is presently in coma because he single handedly picked Frank Ibezim who was his Personal Assistant and foisted him on the party as the senatorial candidate for Okigwe Zone in the Imo North senatorial bye election conducted recently, despite the latter’s alleged obvious deficiencies.”
He further alleged that, “ Nwajiuba has waded in to the IMSU succession saga by trying to convince the governor to make it an Okigwe issue, preferably his brother who has just served out as Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State Federal University, assuring the governor that the emergence of his choice candidate as Prof. Ada Obasi’s successor will ensure cordial relationship, hence funding of the institution will not be a problem.”
He expressed concern that “ the governor who seems to be on a tight rope financially in view of several contending demands may fall for the carrot and stick approach and cede the position to him.”
Others who also commented on the issue wondered why Nwajiuba who had earlier facilitated the appointment of his elder brother, Prof. Chinedu Nwajiuba as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University in Ebonyi State among other juicy positions he attracted for his friends, siblings and associates, has decided to be a disturbing recurring decimal that takes delight in grabbing everything for himself and his select group of “Oliver Twists who always want some more to the detriment of others.”
It was also gathered that many qualified Professors in the institution have also indicated interest in succeeding the outgoing Vice Chancellor who will vacate office soon.
Some keen observers of developments in the university, are however optimistic that government is duty bound to do the right thing in line with the rules, regulations and guidelines of the university, as the outgoing Vice Chancellor’s successor is expected to be announced tomorrow.
