By NewsBits
Member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, Chinedu Ogah, has lashed out at the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerri zone, for what he described as union’s unwarranted accusations on the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Prof. Nnenna Oti.
Oti recently came under ASUU’s attack and demanded the immediate resignation of the VC over her recent resignation of ASUU membership. The Union raised allegations of corruption and anti-union activities against the Vice Chancellor.
But, the lawmaker, who rose in defense of the academic giant on Sunday, urged ASUU to apologise to the VC over “the unwarranted accusations levelled against her by the Union.”
He described Oti as a woman of substance, integrity and courage, charging the ASUU leadership to allow her do her job to be best interest of the University community and the country at large.
The federal legislator in a statement at the weekend, explained that it was the prerogative of the Vice Chancellor to ensure that wrongdoings were punished, in line with stipulated laws of the University.
He debunked the allegation that the VC made concerted efforts to ridicule the leadership of ASUU and cause disaffection within the ASUU FUTO branch of the Union.
“That woman is a woman of substance and has the right to punish wrongdoings in the University. ASUU can be seen as a selfish body, because most times, they pursue only what will be in their interest alone and not for the generality of the Nigerian students and the education sector.
“All those fighting Prof Oti are engaging in pure sabotage and should withdraw from such inimical practice. The Vice Chancellor of FUTO is a woman of proven integrity with high premium on prudence and accountability,” Ogah said.
Oti was the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for Abia State governorship election, who stood her ground that the votes of Abia people must count during the declaration of results when there was a stalemate.
