OAU Workers Back Buhari’s Dissolution Of Governing Council

Workers at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, on Friday celebrated the dissolution of the university’s Governing Council by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The workers, members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), took over the University Senate building singing and dancing.

The excited workers believe that the dissolution of the council by President Buhari was linked to issues surrounding appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the institution.

“This is a victory for all and one that is well deserved,” the Chairman of SSANU, Ademola Oketunde, told the workers. “We have seen that President Buhari has a listening ear and we will continue to appreciate him for dissolving the Governing Council.”

“However, we have not won totally as we will stay here till we have an Acting VC who will steer the affairs of the university.

“In the mean time, we are still here and will keep vigil day and night, we do not even want anyone to steal documents here.”

The Federal Government’s action is coming after several petitions by NASU and SSANU, who are also in court to challenge the “imposition” of a vice chancellor on the institution.

The disagreement over the appointment of a vice chancellor began on June 6, 2016. A protest by the unions, led to the closure of the institution.

“We are not above them, the President can dissolve the Council,” the Public Relations Officer of the University, Olanrewaju Abiodun, said.

The Registrar of the Institution, David Awoyemi, acknowledged the dissolution and said he is waiting for further directives.