VC Seat: Allegation of manipulation causes tension in Michael Okpara University

Mayhem engulfed the 28-year-old Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) on Wednesday as hundreds of students threatened to burn down the university if the Governing Board make do with its plans to plant an unqualified Professor/Applicant to the seat of Vice Chancellor.

The Professor/Applicant is a non indigene said to have secured the second position in the screening exercise for the seat of a Vice Chancellor for the institution, according our sources.

Our Correspondent gathered that the one month screening of who will succeed Prof Francis Otunta, the outgoing VC saw Prof Friday Ekeleme emerging the overall best with other 15 candidates trailing behind him.

But the Governing Board on Wednesday decided to substitute his name with a Professor from Imo State who is behind him in the screening exercise.

Prof Ekeleme, it was said contested against Prof Hillary Edeoga erstwhile VC and emerged best during the interview. However, the boardroom and external politics gave it to Edeoga as Senator Ike Ekweremadu reportedly used his influence to see him through.

Nonetheless, during the selection that brought in Otunta, Ekeleme also vied and reportedly beat Otunta, but the combination of Edeoga and some powerful persons in the Presidency that included the late Abba Kyari also stopped him from being the VC.

Ekeleme, a professor of Weed Science is from Abia State and has had a brilliant career at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). During the recent screening, he was said to have beat other Professors/Applicants, but the Board, acting on the influence of an APC Senator from Abia State decided to upturn his victory.

Our Correspondent gathered that Ekeleme is suffering from the fight by three elephants as the Senator is angered that he is being backed by a chieftain of APC in Umuahia North and an APC Minister from Abia State.  (Daily Independent)