Professors at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) have launched a protest over the recent process for selecting the institution’s Vice-Chancellor.
LEADERSHIP gathered that journalists were attacked by security operatives in the process of covering the protest on Tuesday.
Security agents reportedly attacked the Channels Television crew during its coverage of the protest, while other members of the press were denied access.
The professors were protesting the selection process for the new vice-chancellor of the university.
Upon arrival at the school premises, security operatives attacked the Channels Television team, damaging their vehicle. The gun-wielding men manhandled members of the crew before detaining them for over an hour.
Footage of the attack showed some of the security personnel forcing members of the Channels Television crew out of their vehicle and questioning their presence on the campus.
The University has been embroiled in a deep crisis over the appointment process for a new vice-chancellor following the exit of Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah on July 1.
At the heart of the dispute are allegations that the new Governing Council, in collaboration with certain staff members, was attempting to install the acting VC of the University, Professor Aisha Maikudi, as the substantive VC despite claims that she does not meet the advertised criteria for the position.
Some alleged that Maikudi, a professor of International Law, was appointed to her role under questionable circumstances. It is claimed that she became a professor in 2022 and was thereafter named Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) due to the influence of her father, a prominent figure in Katsina State.
Maikudi’s father is said to have played a role in ensuring Prof. Na’Allah’s appointment as VC of the University of Abuja about five years ago. In return, Maikudi was appointed DVC before becoming acting VC in 2022.
Critics claimed that the criteria for VC appointments were lowered to favour Maikudi. However, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Sadiq Ismaila Kaita, has dismissed any allegations of wrongdoing, insisting that due process was being followed in the appointment of the UniAbuja vice chancellor.
