THERE was drama Tuesday afternoon at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) when thugs obviously hired by some interested party abruptly brought to an end a duly scheduled meeting of the Senate of the university convened to discuss issues related to the appointment of a substantive vice chancellor of the institution.
The meeting, an unimpeachable source well informed on the matter told National Record, was fixed to commence by 9am but later rescheduled to 11:30am.
According to our source, who pleaded anonymity as he is not the university’s spokesperson, the meeting however did not start by 11:30am, and by exactly 12:03pm, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Afaha, came in to apologise on behalf of the VC to the Senate members who were patiently waiting, and to convey to them “that the meeting had to be suspended at the request of the Council Chairman to give room for further consultation.”
The source revealed that Senate members, incensed by the inexplicable delay, asked Prof Afaha to go away that the apology was not accepted, forcing DVC to leave the scene humiliated.
The about 80 members of the Senate present thereafter resolved to hold the meeting, presided over by a former DVC, Prof Katcha, with Prof. Atimga taking note of deliberations and resolutions.
But as the meeting was on, hired thugs were unleashed on them, upturning tables and chairs with members falling and tumbling as they scamper for safety, our source narrated, stating that the attendance list was seized and shredded.
In the pandemonium, the thugs also attempted to seize phones from members who were recording the rampage.
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“These vigilante men must have been given overdose of illicit substances. Indeed, it was a sorry sight. I think this is the lowest point we have got to in this University. Beating Senate member? The desperation is unbelievable.
“Even when some members went to the main road to conclude how the resolution should be produced and communicated to the Chairman, these chaps came to disperse us. It was like a Nollywood movie.
“Now the question is how do we mobilise for another meeting that may be called at short notice between now and 31st December, 2024? Today it was clear they didn’t have the number to achieve their evil plot & that was why this meeting was scuttled by a pronouncement of postponement,” our source further stated.
Efforts to speak with Dr Habeeb Yakoob, UNIABUJA’s spokesperson, failed as he neither picked his calls nor responded to a WhatsApp message enquiry sent to him as at press time.
Sahara Reporters reported Tuesday how the University’s Senate had scheduled the meeting to replace Senate members who allegedly refused to endorse a manipulated selection joint board.
The report predicted a brewing crisis at UNIABUJA over plans to appoint Prof. Aisha Maikudi as the substantive vice-chancellor, noting that the Senate’s meeting scheduled for Tuesday was to replace Senate members who allegedly refused to endorse a manipulated selection joint board.
The report also quoted sources to corroborate the plot noting that the move is seen as a desperate attempt to impose the Acting VC Prof. Maikudi as the VC, taking advantage of the holiday season when many Senate members are away.
