The council had last weekend
removed Ikechebelu and installed Prof Carol Umobi as acting vice chancellor.
The move had been greeted with
protests, as some Senate members opposed to the appointment, while the students
union at the university also protested.
But, Mbadiwe, in a press
statement, said Ikechebelu was never an acting vice chancellor, but just an
overseer, who was handed over at the retirement of former Vice Chancellor, Prof
Charles Esimone.
The statement by Mbadiwe read:
“I write to address the recent misinformation circulating regarding the
appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
“Professor Joseph Ikechebelu
was never appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor by the Council. He merely oversaw
the office temporarily following NUC directives, pending Council’s
inauguration,
“The Council, in response to
ASUU NAU’s appeal, directed the nomination of former Deputy Vice-Chancellors
aged 65-70 for the Acting Chancellor position. Despite Council’s directive,
there was reluctance to convene an emergency Senate meeting.
“Concerned Senators of the
University, numbering over 35, acting on The Doctrine of Necessity, convened an
emergency Senate meeting and forwarded two names of former Deputy
Vice-chancellors to the Council. The Senate took this action to avoid a
constitutional logjam and to prevent the university from eminent anarchy and
collapse.
“The Council has appointed
Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi as the new acting vice chancellor. We expect
Professor Ikechebelu to hand over officially to Professor Arinze Umobi
immediately. Failure to do so will be considered an act of insubordination.
“The Council tis aware of the
court challenge regarding the involvement of dissolved 9th Council internal
members and has advised them to step aside pending the courts decision. We
assure all stakeholders that the Council’s actions are in the best interest of
the university’s growth and development. The Council will address any acts of
insubordination in its Next meeting.
“We remain committed to
ensuring peace, sanity, and progress at Nnamdi Aziktwe University,” Mbadiwe
said.
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