The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of being the brain behind the crisis rocking the institution.
Some lecturers were reportedly attacked by members of the Non-Academic Staff Union and National Association of Academic Technologists, in the lecture room on Wednesday.
It was learnt that the errant workers, who had earlier been placed on suspension, inflicted bodily harm on the lecturer for not joining them in the strike.
Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, Soremekun said it became clear to him that the governor was behind the crisis when he ordered the release of the arrested workers without consulting the management of the institution.
“The high point of these inclement activities occurred on June 7, 2017. On this particular day, the workers, as usual, laid a siege on the university. They proceeded to inflict physical harm on members of the university community. Various individuals went through harrowing experiences in the hands of these misguided individuals.”
He gave the names of the victims as the Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Prof. B. Alabadan; Dr. A. A Fajinmi, Dr. Olatunde Oyelaran, Mr. Olawale Sanusi, Dr. Kikelomo Oluwalola, Dr. Olusayo Olubosede, Mr. Gabriel Okoli, Tunde Ogundana and the Director of Pre-Degree, Dr. Akindola.
But Fayose, who denied the allegation through his Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, said he had no business at the federal university.
He said, “Beyond maintaining peace and protecting the rights of all residents of Ekiti State, Governor Ayodele Fayose does not have any business with Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.
“The Vice Chancellor is the one that should search his conscience whether or not he is doing the right thing concerning the management of the university.
“Be that as it may, it sounds so illogical that head of a university will stand before the press to say that university staff should be arrested and detained by the police for protesting.”
The VC insisted that the suspension slammed on the union leaders would subsist in spite of the threats and unruly behaviour against the management members.
He disclosed that he had written to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and the National Universities Commission on the issue.
“I want to commend the patience and maturity of the law abiding members of the university community. The students have been most understanding,” he added.
Source:punch
