HOT!!! OAU Lecturers Form Parallel Union, Accuse ASUU Of Dictatorship

OAU Lecturers Form Parallel Union, Accuse ASUU Of Dictatorship

March 3, 2018 EDUCATION, EXCLUSIVE

BY ADEJUMO KABIR

The lecturers of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who pulled out of the national body of Academic Staff Union of Universities on February 12, have formed a new academic group called the Congress of University Academics, CONUA and also elected new officers.

The newly formed group elected a nine-man executive committee on Wednesday. They elected Niyi Sunmonu as the chairperson, Fayomi Awodele vice-chairperson, Henry Oripeloye the secretary, H. A. Adefeso assistant secretary, M. O. Awoyemi treasurer, O. Arawomo as financial secretary, A. A.Shobola Welfare Officer, B. O. Odu Internal Auditor and O. F. Adebowale Investment officer.

The electioneering process which brought the executives was conducted by a five-man electoral committee headed by D. O Ogungbile, a professor.

While speaking after the election, Ogungbile said: “the candidates elected met the requirements for the position they sought after screening.”

He disclosed they will be inaugurated next Tuesday, March 6.

The OAU lecturers have not been in good term with the national body, ASUU, following the suspension of Caleb Aborisade-exco last year by the congress as a fallout of the crisis over the appointment of the 11th Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University in 2016.

The lecturers also accused the Aborisade-led exco of transferring about N11 million to the national body without the approval of the congress.

Speaking with our correspondent in a telephone conversation, the chairperson-elect, Niyi Sunmonu said with OAU establishing the CONUA, a rival to ASUU, some Nigeria Universities lecturers who are not in good term with the national body are also planning to join the new group.

He said, “ASUU OAU chapter under Aborisade was involved in a lot of irregularities. He violated the provision of the constitution alongside with the Financial Secretary. The congress found them guilty and necessary measures were taken. Even the national body led by Professor Biodun Ogunyemi is dictatorial as he unilaterally removed a treasurer. He is a liar and often violates the provision of the constitution.

“University of Ilorin has shown interest in joining the newly formed group, Kwara State University, Delta State University and University of Nigeria, Nsukka will be joining to jointly kick against the dictatorial tendency of ASUU.”

It would be recalled that the Unilorin Chapter of ASUU sometime in February also accused the national body of imposition of candidates” and vowed to take irreversible and progressive steps if the national body continues.

In a reaction,  Biodun Ogunyemi, the National President of ASUU said: “The body in OAU who claimed to have pulled out of ASUU national belongs to the illegal caretaker committee.”