The Senate of the University of Ibadan, on Wednesday recommended sanctions for the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of the university for rebelling against the process of appointing a new Vice-Chancellor.
Some contenders are currently bidding for the position of the VC university. However, the unions halted the selection last week Wednesday, October 28.
The meeting of the Governing Council of the University chaired by Dr. Joshua Waklek on that day was disrupted by the protesting union members.
The unions, alleging that the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, was backing his deputy on the contest, called for the suspension of the process.
After a meeting of the Senate at the International Conference Centre, UI, on Wednesday, a former Dean, Faculty of Law, UI, Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose (SAN), said disciplinary action should be taken against the erring staff.
The meeting, chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Adebola Ekanola, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, was attended by 188 members.
Bamgbose said, “The chairman of the Council, Dr Joshua Waklek, had been disrespected. Senate noted that the event was unfortunate and regrettable.
“The action by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union on Wednesday 28th October, 2020 was condemned in its strongest term.
“The fact that unions do not have any role to play in the appointment of Vice-Chancellor. Senate affirms that the process of the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor thus far has been in line with the extant laws and it should continue and be concluded forthwith.
“Senate also affirms its confidence in the Council and the process of appointing the Vice-Chancellor thus far. Senate should appoint some representatives to visit the Minister of Education with a copy of the resolution taken at the meeting today (Wednesday).
“The normal university disciplinary procedures should be instituted to deal with the erring staff forthwith. That is, immediately and without delay.
“The petitioners should be pacified – Professors Peter Olapegba and Ezekiel Ayoola. They should be pacified pending the outcome of internal disciplinary measures.
“The University of Ibadan dissociates itself from the action of the above unions. For emphasis (SSANU and the NASU) and their action were not acting on behalf of any officer or unit of the University. Neither were their action taken in the course of their duty.”
