By Idris Temidayo
A coalition of 25 civil society organisations (CSOs) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of a vicce-chancellor at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja).
Wisdom Chinedu, who spoke on behalf of the group, known as the Civil Society Coalition for Educational Development, during a press briefing at the university’s main gate in Abuja on Friday, said Aisha Maikudi, the acting VC is being victimised by some forces.
Chinedu said the CSOs condemned a recent protest by some professors at the university, criticising their actions as unnecessary and harmful to the institution.
He also described the actions of the professors as a direct assault on due process and a betrayal of the values of merit, gender equality, and youth empowerment.
“We are deeply disappointed by the protest staged by some professors at UniAbuja against the appointment of a substantive vice-chancellor,” he said.
“This protest is an absurd attack on due process, and it undermines efforts to promote more women and youth in leadership roles.”
Chinedu accused the protesting professors of orchestrating a smear campaign against the acting VC, alleging that the protests were part of a targeted effort to discredit her.
He noted that Maikudi, who previously served as deputy vice-chancellor without any record of failure, is being unfairly targeted due to her gender, youth, and northern origin.
“We have gathered irrefutable evidence showing that the protests are a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of Prof. Aisha Maikudi, who has proven herself as a capable leader,” he said.
“The attacks against her are politically motivated and contrary to Nigeria’s educational development goals, especially at a time when global attention is focused on empowering women and youth.
“For years, Nigerians have not witnessed such a distasteful and disruptive protest from professors. This conduct is preposterous and should be condemned.
“It is vital that those responsible for this shameful behavior are held accountable to prevent further damage to the integrity of the academic system.”
He also highlighted a history of manipulation in UniAbuja’s leadership selection processes, suggesting that past candidates had been unfairly denied opportunities due to political machinations.
He stressed the need for a transparent and merit-based process to ensure that competent leaders are given the chance to guide the institution.
Addressing allegations that the selection committee was biased against southerners, Chinedu dismissed the claims as unfounded and politically motivated.
“We thoroughly reviewed the allegations of southern exclusion and found them to be baseless. This appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine the process and disrupt the university’s leadership selection,” he said.
Chinedu urged Tinubu to take decisive action to protect Maikudi, whom he described as the most qualified candidate for the position.
He also called on the president to address the crisis and ensure that Maikudi is protected against “an ethnic and political gang-up”.
“We urge the Minister of Education to formally announce Prof. Aisha Maikudi as the recommended candidate and to establish a panel for reconciliation, to ensure a fair and peaceful resolution to this matter,” he said.
