COOU Senate Members Urge Soludo To Appoint Substantive Vice Chancellor, End Impunity
Some staff of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University under the eagis of Concerned Members of the Senate, has called on Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to appoint a substantive Vice Chancellor for the institution.
The professors who made the call in a letter entitled “Appeal For Restoration of Sanity in COOU” said the tenure for the last substantive VC ended on Dec. 4 2023.
They said Prof. Kate Omenugha, the current Acting Vice Chancellor was appointed effective Dec. 5 2023 and had spent almost eighteen months in that capacity and called for her removal or resignation since she was contesting for the substantive position.
They alleged that the VP had not only overstayed the statutory acting VC tenure but had continued to misuse the office and flout University regulations in an attempt to perpetuate herself in office.
According to them, in view of the relevant sections of the extant laws and in the interest of fairness, need for level playing ground for all contestants for that office, we have respectfully appealed to His Excellency to kindly intervene.
“He should do so by causing Prof. Kate Omenugha’s term as Acting VC to cease immediately, given her interest in the VCship position; and appoint a Professor from COOU Senate who is ineligible to contest for the office of VC or vested interest as Acting VC.
“These steps are essential to restore sanity, uphold due process, and ensure the integrity of the selection process,” they said.
The COOU Senate members described as worrisome that in December 2024, Omenugha violated the University’s established laws and procedures at a senate meeting she presided over, and manipulated it to her advantage as she was a candidate for the post of substantive vice-chancellor.
They said a similar situation arose when the University Council directed the Senate to elect a representative to serve on the Search Committee and rather than allow the Senate to conduct a democratic election, she proposed that the choice be limited to three internal Council members known for their loyalty to her.
“These individuals decided amongst themselves that one of the three should represent the Senate on committee and despite widespread objections from members, she proceeded to submit the name of her ‘selected’ nominee as the ‘unelected’ Senate representative.
“Therefore, allowing a candidate with vested interest in the VC race to remain in office as Acting Vice-Chancellor clearly undermines the principles of fairness and a level playing field.
“This concern becomes even more acute when the individual is alleged to have repeatedly acted with impunity, disregarding University rules and procedures,” it said.
“We are grateful for the visitor’s earlier directive to the Council to ensure due process and adherence to the University law but, the Acting VC has taken to pressuring internal Council members. especially Senate representatives in council to resist that directive.
