The House of Representatives is to investigate the
role played by the Governing Council in the recent
appointment of Vice Chancellor for the University of
Abuja.
This decision emanated from a motion moved by
Rep. Pally Iriase (APC-Edo), which was unanimously
adopted in Abuja on Thursday.
Members resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to
carry out the investigation and report its findings and
recommendations to the House within seven days.
Moving the motion, Iriase held that there had been
discontentment over the appointment of the new
vice chancellor.
“This is fast assuming ethno-religious coloration and
may spell doom for the university,” he said.
Iriase said the discontentment stemmed from
alleged injustice, discrimination and unfairness in
the processes leading to the said appointment.
He said candidates who came first and second with
80 per cent and 70 per cent were dropped for the
candidate who scored a little above 60 per cent.
The lawmaker further said that a situation where a
third placed candidate was chosen in preference to
the other two front runners required convincing
explanation from the university’s Governing Council.
He said there was the urgent need to stop the ugly
development arising from brazen disregard for merit,
fairness and justice from the Nigeria university
system.
“Unless steps are taken to courageously address the
discontentment in the university of Abuja
community, the matter may lead to avoidable
unrest,” Iriase said.

Adelabu bois at work.