The Management of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, has dismissed as malicious and misleading an online publication alleging an attempt by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, to sack some internal members of the Council.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations and Protocol of the university, Anyaso Anyaso, Management said there was no Governing Council meeting on the day referenced in the publication because the Council could not form a quorum following the expiration of the tenure of the affected internal members.
According to the statement, the internal Council members were elected on September 7, 2022, for a four-year tenure which expired on September 7, 2026.
Management also clarified that the circular titled “Reviewing the Guidelines for Ministries’ Representatives on the Governing Councils of Federal Tertiary Institutions” relates specifically to external members of Governing Councils representing federal ministries, including the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, as applicable to MOUAU.
It further stated that the Pro-Chancellor had no authority to extend or terminate the tenure of any Governing Council member, whether internal or external.
“Therefore, the false narrative of an attempted sack could not sensibly be applicable to people whose tenures have already expired,” the statement said.
Management advised the former internal Council members to return to their respective constituencies—Senate, Congregation and Convocation—and seek representation through the appropriate processes.
It also disclosed that some of the former internal Council members had written to distance themselves from what it described as the activities of some of their colleagues.
Reacting to the use of the word “Pandemonium” in the publication, the university described it as an “unprofessional attempt” by the publishers and their sponsors to tarnish the image of the Pro-Chancellor and whip up public sentiment.
Management maintained that the description did not reflect the atmosphere at the briefing held by the Pro-Chancellor with external and former internal members of the Council.
The university further warned that it might be compelled to publish evidence on certain issues and hold accountable those who attempt to tarnish the image of the institution and its officials.
Management urged members of the university community, stakeholders and the general public to disregard what it described as misleading claims in the publication and rely on official information from the university for accurate updates.
It also appealed to media organizations to verify information before publication, particularly reports capable of creating tension or misunderstanding within the university community.
