By DADA AYOKHAI
The recent suspension of the Acting Vice Chancellor of Edo State University, Iyamho, located in the Etsako West council area, has sparked significant discord within the university’s Governing Council.
Members of the Council have distanced themselves from this action, suggesting that the Council’s chairman may have acted unilaterally.
The state-owned university has recently faced a crisis of confidence, which led to the suspension of Prof. Dawood Egbefo, who was in office for just 6 months after succeeding Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, the institution’s founding Vice-Chancellor.
The abrupt suspension of Prof. Egbefo surprised many, and as they began to come to terms with the situation, further complications emerged.
Until members of the University’s Governing Council expressed their disapproval of the suspension and the nomination of Prof. M. J. E. Evbogbai as a temporary replacement for Prof Egbefo pending an investigation, nobody knew exactly what was going on
With the crisis boiling over, it is now clear that all is not well in the Governing Council, as more than half of its members have grievances against their chairman concerning the suspension of Prof. Dawood Egbefo.
In a counter letter signed by Habib Ekhalefo, the Registrar/Secretary to the Governing Council, the Council stated that it has reversed the suspension and reinstated the Acting Vice Chancellor.
This announcement was made following what the Council deemed an extraordinary meeting held via Zoom, where the primary agenda was the suspension of the VC.
During the meeting, it was resolved that the chairman’s actions regarding the suspension were unilateral.
The Council emphasized that the appointment of Prof. Egbefo as Acting Vice Chancellor was made by the Visitor—in this case, the governor—and any suspension or removal must follow the established procedures.
Furthermore, the Council posited that any action taken outside of this framework is deemed illegal and unsustainable.
As a result, the Council rejected the appointment of Prof. Evbogbai as the Acting VC in place of Prof. Egbefo, asserting that such an appointment is not recognized under the institution’s governing rules.
, The Council cautioned Prof. Evbogbai against portraying himself as the Acting VC, warning that any violation of this directive may lead to disciplinary action.
