Amidst rising tensions over the vacancy of the Vice-Chancellor position at the University of Abuja, the institution Governing Council has firmly denied obstructing Professor Aisha Maikudi’s potential appointment as the new Vice-Chancellor.
This clarification comes in the wake of rumours and a controversial letter supposedly implicating the Council in misconduct allegations against Maikudi.
Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Isma’ila Kaita (rtd.), the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, addressed these claims, stating that the Council has no opposition to Prof. Maikudi’s candidacy.
The alleged letter, which accused Maikudi of misconduct, was categorically dismissed by Kaita as false and a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation.
Kaita emphasized, “At no point has he endorsed or opposed the candidacy of Prof. Aisha Maikudi or any other aspirant for the substantive role of Vice-Chancellor. His commitment is solely to ensuring a fair, transparent, and merit-based selection process.”
The Concerned University of Abuja Stakeholders, led by Mohammed Adama, supported Kaita’s stance, stating that the letter content was fabricated to create unnecessary tension within the university community.
“AVM Saddiq Isma’ila Kaita categorically dissociates himself from the letter attributed to him. He neither authored nor sanctioned any communication undermining the Acting VC as mischievously claimed,” they asserted.
Kaita’s leadership has been marked by an unwavering commitment to impartiality and due process, as noted by the stakeholders.
They added, “His actions are driven solely by a commitment to uphold due process, transparency, and accountability, in line with the highest standards of university administration.”
The Pro-Chancellor’s integrity and dedication to service were underscored throughout the statement. “It is important to emphasize that Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Isma’ila Kaita (retd.) is a man of integrity who has dedicated decades of service to the nation, reaching the pinnacle of his military career with honor,” the statement continued, emphasizing that Kaita has no vested interest in any candidate for the Vice-Chancellor position.
The Governing Council reiterated its commitment to a transparent selection process for the new Vice-Chancellor, dismissing allegations of manipulating criteria to favor any candidate as baseless. They assured the public that all appointments would adhere to statutory guidelines, maintaining the integrity of the process.
AVM Kaita reaffirmed his dedication to his role, promising to manage the university’s affairs with professionalism and accountability.
The statement urged the public to disregard misleading reports and remain wary of unverified information intended to disrupt the university’s stability.
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