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LAUTECH VC: ASUU, SSANU oppose Makinde’s suspension order
By Bisi Oladele, Ibadan
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and its non-academic counterpart, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have faulted the directive by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Ologunde, to step aside.
The unions said the directive breached due process.
Makinde, the sole visitor to the university, last week gave the directive. Although the governor did not make public reasons for his action, The Nation gathered that Ologunde was asked to step aside to enable the government investigate allegations against him. He was alleged to have instigated labour unions to press for their salary arrears of two years prior to Makinde’s tenure.
The Nation also learnt that Ologunde polarised the students’ union and allegedly used a faction against the Oyo State Government.
But ASUU and SSANU posited that the governor lacked the power to directly sack a VC, arguing that he can only do that based on the recommendation of the Governing Council, which is empowered to recruit, discipline and sack a VC and other principal officers.
The academic workers held a meeting yesterday morning where a position was taken on the issue.
A statement by LAUTECH ASUU yesterday said: “The union received with shock, a statement dated April 16, 2021, emanating from the office of the Commissioner for Education in Oyo State, asking the Vice Chancellor to step aside. Based on the content of the statement, a congress of the union was held on April 19 and resolved as follows:
”That the union expresses its displeasure at the said statement because it violated the provisions of the University Miscellaneous Act as amended, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology law 2020 and the university conventions;
“That if there is any perceived misdemeanour on the part of any officer appointed by the law in the university, due process according to the law must be followed to address such.
”That the union acknowledges the power of the visitor to hire and fire on one part and that such power is premised on the recommendation of the Governing Council according to the extant laws;
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”That as at today, the Governing Council has not been properly constituted in line with law of the university.
”Our union, therefore, requests that to maintain industrial harmony on campus and the ongoing restoration of the image of the university, the above resolutions should be considered with the necessary urgency.”
The statement was signed by its Chairman, Dr. Biodun Olaniran and Secretary, Dr. Toyin Abegunrin.
The Senate and Congregation yesterday elected their representatives to the Governing Council. The development may force the state government to constitute the Governing Council, which it believes is technically not in place, according to a source. Though inaugurated, the council has not been meeting because other members from within the internal stakeholders are yet to be elected. It was, therefore, described as not having been constituted.
In the exercise held yesterday, the Senate elected professors Isiaka Emiola, Samuel Onawumi, Ade Adejumo and Margaret Areo, while the Congregation elected Dr. Olufemi Ajala and Dr. Olawale Olakulehin.
The election, which some analysts described as “hurried”, is expected to force the government to constitute the council to promote autonomy for the institution.
ASUU Chairman Dr. Olaniran told The Nation that the union was not interested in the reason behind Ologunde’s suspension, but the office of the Vice Chancellor, which is the highest position in the university.
He said ASUU was interested in the protection of the process, which prevents arbitrariness and guarantees equity for stakeholders.
But it is not clear how the state government will react to the position of the unions and election of other members of the council that will enable it to be constituted.
