ASUU divided over attack on Ekiti varsity vice-chancellor

Ekiti State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, has split into two as factional members expressed their displeasure and disapproval over ASUU’s attacks on the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Kayode Soremekun.

To this end, the aggrieved members, who disapproved of the allegations of corruption and appointment racketeering leveled against Prof. Soremekun, have joined a parallel body called Congress of Nigeria Academics (CNA).

ASUU, Akure zone, had recently addressed a press briefing through the zonal Coordinator and Chairman of the union in Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Olu-Olu Olufayo, where it alleged that there were pension fraud and irregular recruitment in FUOYE.

Olufayo accused the management of promoting academic staff without following due process while also failed to remit pension funds to workers, in line with the federal government’s directive.

Prof. Soremekun had, however, denied the allegations, saying the Council and the Senate were aware of every appointment made and that pensions were deducted directly from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and not the university.

Briefing newsmen in Oye-Ekiti, on Friday, those opposed to ASUU’s position, led by Dr. A. Akinsoranti and Barr. Ayodeji Ige, described the union’s position as an attempt to smear Prof. Soremekun’s reputation.

Akinsoranti said FUOYE has been leading and setting the pace among the 12 universities established in 2010 by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He accused the ASUU Chairman in FUOYE, Akinyemi Omonijo of running the union like a ‘cult’, saying the press conference he addressed where he made allegations against the VC was not authorised by members and that the positions canvassed by zonal ASUU, were baseless.

“We wish to state clearly that the press conference of October 4, purportedly addressed by Zonal ASUU on behalf of our members was not only false but misleading. It is only the congress that can authorise such and thus unfortunately was not the case.

“The smear campaign was a handiwork of an individual backed by a cabal which seeks to mislead the public and cause disaffection in FUOYE which is still a young university.

“This press conference showed the failure of ASUU to abide by simple norm of consultation before confrontation.

“Let me also state that some of the issues raised have been tackled by the management.

“The allegations raised by Zonal ASUU was devoid of facts, lacking in merit and a product of perverted mind.

“We hereby dissociate ourselves from this attack coming from a minority among us”, he said.

Lending credence to what Akinsoranti said, Ige added: “Those opposed to the management are in the minority group. They knew that the Governing Council and Vice Chancellor cannot appoint substantive Bursar and Registrar since the former occupant of the seat, Mr. Daniel Adeyemo is in court challenging his removal.