A crisis is brewing at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, over the race for its next vice-chancellor.
While the outgoing vice chancellor, Prof Andy Egwunyenga, has been accused of taking sides, a group, the Integrity Academic Bombers (IAB), has called the state government to call him to order.
The VC has pledged that he has no plan to exclude anyone from joining the race, as he stated that there were professors in the College of Health Sciences with PhDs to join the race. Still, IAB has called on Egwunyenga to publish the names of lecturers he claims have PhDs in the college.
The group had faulted the requirements for those aspiring to be Vice Chancellor, saying there was a ploy to make it impossible for some lecturers in some faculties in the College of Health Sciences to be excluded.
In their latest statement, the group wondered why the VC described their well-researched report as fake news, claiming that there are professors with PhD in the Faculties of Clinical Medicine, Basic Clinical Sciences, and Dentistry.
While the lecturers at the Faculties of Clinical Medicine, Basic Clinical Sciences, and Dentistry are said to be ready to defend their qualifications for the plum position, others from other faculties also say the lecturers there are not qualified.
In a statement, the group added: “Integrity Academic Bombers is by this response challenging him most unequivocally to publish the names of those Professors with PhD in these three faculties.
“He should realise that he has a very serious moral burden to contend with by misleading and continues to mislead the Governing Council surprisingly is made of men and women of impeccable characters.
“The likes of the chairman, Gen Alexandra Ogomudia( rtd), Prof G. G .Darah, Bar Doris Ejinyere, Rt Hon Martins Okonta, Sir Andrew Odum (SAN). Even serving members whose tenures are still running was part of the process that midwifed Prof Andy Egwunyenga. Chief Peter Biakpara, Prof Usiwoma – Enuku and Chief Terry Noah.“
Meanwhile, they said from the look of things, they „strongly believe there is an interest from the university management.“
“His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor Delta State needs to know that Prof Egwunyenga might plunge Delta State University into a major crisis, and the earlier the university VC is called to order, the better,“ it said.
