By Israel Joel
Staff and students of the University Of Jos, Unijos were left stranded outside the main Campus gate and the permanent site gate as a result of an ongoing protest, which started in the early hours of Monday.

Our correspondent reports that all gates were locked, with students holding various placards with the inscription “Say no to external interference”.

It was also gathered that the protests are purported to be about an alleged plan to bring in an Executive Secretary after the expiration of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor, Pending the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor.

Speaking to newsmen Comrade Muplang Simon Kangpe, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities

SSANU Secretary, Unijos Branch said

As at the time of this Press Conference, we are not aware of any breach of the extant Laws regarding the selection process leading to the emergence of a new Vice-Chancellor for the University of Jos neither are we aware of any petition submitted by any candidate, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Unions, Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Character Commission.

In his words ” If at all there is any, the right thing should have been initiating a detailed investigation of the processes so far before any decision is arrived at. ”

He said “To our greatest dismay, the entire selection process was ordered to be suspended and an invitation was extended to all Council Members to appear before the almighty Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) unfailingly Wednesday the 22nd day of April 2021.

This, we strongly feel is orchestrated to truncate the laid down statutory processes duly followed before the invitation. May we also state that it is an outright disregard of the University Autonomy Act and a usurpation of responsibility of the University Governing Council. ”

He said This singular act of suspending the selection process is creating unnecessary tension within the University Community and generating suspicion amongst the candidates thereby brewing conflict in a peaceful environment.

This from our observation is perceived to be an external interference skewed to favor a particular candidate as against the interest of the integrity of the process.

We would like to draw the attention of the teeming populace of a similar scenario that played out in the University of Benin where the Chairman of the Governing Council resigned and contested an election without being replaced

The remaining members sat and elected an acting Chairman who presided over that process that saw the emergence of the present Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami without any rancor.

He also added that “We beg to ask, why is that of the University of Jos an exception?

We, therefore, have the following prayers:

The Visitor to the University should as a matter of urgency call the attention of Professor Abubakar Abdulrasheed the Executive Secretary NUC to desist from interfering with the activities of the University Governing Council who were appointed to oversee the activities of the University on behalf of the Visitor.

“The  Minister of Education should direct the conclusion of the selection process for the emergence of a new Vice-Chancellor.”

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“We call on all members of the University community to remain calm but resolute that due process must be followed as the only alternative for a peaceful transition. ”

“It must be noted therefore that any deviation from the above mentioned would have the Executive Secretary NUC held responsible for any breach of peace in the University. ”

While waiting for the prompt response of the NUC in that regard, we shall continue to monitor processes that would determine our next line of action, he further added.