Members of the Academic Staff Union (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) Chapter, on Tuesday protested what they called illegality in the election of a new Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the institution.
The lecturers called for the immediate suspension of the election of the deputy vice-chancellor in charge of administration scheduled for later in the day.
Scores of placard-carrying lecturers staged a peaceful march, chanting songs, with some of the placards carrying inscriptions like “DVC election, we say ‘no to one man show’ in a university of 30 years’’, “until a properly convened Senate accepts your nominees, no election please,” “The VC is only first among equals, LASU Senate is not a private club, you cannot waive its rights’’.
The management of the university had in its official bulletin dated April 16 nominated Prof. Olatunji Abanikannda of the Faculty of Science and Prof. Fidelis Njokanma of the College of Medicine to run for the position.
It also scheduled the election for the position which became vacant since Dec. 8, 2013 for April 22.
Dr Adekunle Idris, the Chairman of ASUU, said the action was to protest “illegality” in the selection process.
He cited Section 5 (4) of LASU Law that “where a vacancy exists for the post of a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the VC shall present a list of two professors to the Senate, one of whom should be elected.
“Where none of the two nominees is accepted to the Senate, the vice-chancellor shall present a list of two other professors to the Senate.
“The purpose of this is to enable the senate to discuss and consider the appropriateness for the position before the election.
“Where senate in its wisdom finds the two nominees not acceptable, they have the right to so declare, this right can only be waived by the senate.
“The vice-chancellor and the registrar have no powers to waive this right or duty of senate to accept or reject the first list of two nominees,” Idris said.
“Our union, having sought legal advice and after serious consideration, have come to the conclusion that a breach of the LASU law is about to be committed.’’
The union noted that though filling the vacancy is important, the process and its outcome was more important, as the deputy vice- chancellor is a vice-chancellor in waiting.
It called on the authorities to convene the meeting of the Senate to consider the nominees, while a new date should be fixed for the election.
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