By Steve Oko
UMUAHIA — The management of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, has dismissed as “malicious and misleading” an online report alleging that the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, attempted to remove some internal members of the Council.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Anyaso Anyaso, the university management said no Council meeting was held on the date referenced in the publication because the Council could not form a quorum following the expiration of the tenure of the affected internal members.
Management explained that the internal members were elected on September 7, 2022, for a four-year tenure, which expired on September 7, 2026.
It said the circular referenced in the report concerned only external members representing Federal Ministries on the governing councils of federal tertiary institutions, including representatives of the Ministries of Education and Agriculture and Food Security.
According to the university, the Pro-Chancellor lacked the authority to extend or terminate the tenure of either internal or external Council members.
It therefore described the claim of an attempted removal of the affected internal members as untenable, given that their tenure had already expired.
Management advised the former internal members to return to their respective constituencies — Senate, Congregation and Convocation — and represent themselves.
The university also rejected the description of the purported meeting as “pandemonium”, saying the characterization was intended to portray the Pro-Chancellor negatively and generate public sentiment against him.
It added that although it had decided not to make public evidence relating to some of the issues, it could do so if necessary and take appropriate steps against persons it alleged were attempting to damage the reputation of the university and its officials.
Management urged staff, stakeholders and the public to disregard the publication and rely on official information from the university concerning developments within the institution.
It also appealed to media organisations to verify information before publication, particularly reports capable of creating tension or misunderstanding within the university community.
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