ASUU flays Amaechi for re-appointing VC

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has accused Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi of meddling in the running of Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

The President of ASUU, Dr Nasir Isa, said at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja that the governor had shown a clear violation of the statutes establishing the university by the “undeserved and illegal” re-appointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as the Vice-Chancellor.

He said Fakae’s appointment by Amaechi in 2008 was illegal as it was not the responsibility of the governor to do so but that of the university’s governing council.

He said the appointment of the VC did not follow due process and when the matter was challenged by the RSUST branch of ASUU, the governor, who attended the congress of the union, pleaded that the matter be laid to rest.

“The governor and Visitor to the university knew the appointment of Prof. Fakae in 2008 did not follow due process as spelt out in the University Law. When this was challenged by the RSUST branch of ASUU and other unions and groups on campus, Amaechi made time out to visit the university.”