The process leading to the selection of a new Vice chancellor for the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, is becoming more intriguing as four staff of the University who are Indigenes of Abia State were this Monday invited to the DSS office in Umuahia on allegation of planning to stage a protest.
According to reports, the Four Officers among whom is the Chairman of Abia staff in MOUAU were drilled over what the security outfit termed intel received regarding a planned protest slated to take place the same Monday at Noon.
The invitation by the DSS took effect hours after the chairman of the University’s governing council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh had allegedly at Council meeting on Saturday directed the University management to quickly investigate the interest groups that recently agitated and demanded for transparency and integrity in the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
The staff were said to have joined the increasing demands for transparency in the selection of appointment of a new Vice Chancellor which is expected to be concluded next month.
At their normal monthly meeting, the staff had also canvassed the consideration of an Abia indigene as the next Vice Chancellor, citing the recent similar developments in other institutions.
According to sources, while those invited could not confirm the involvement of the chairman governing council, Comrade Edeh to the DSS invitation, they however called on the security agency to investigate whoever that that brought the report to them warning that such a person or interest was not acting in the interest of peace.
One of the staff affected told our correspondent that the DSS warned them to desist from engaging in divisive actions that might undermine peace in the institution ahead of the appointment of a new vice-chancellor next month.
In a swift reaction, a staff of Abia State origin who was not among those invited that pleaded anonymity for fear of victimisation pointed accusing fingers to the Chairman Governing Council of the University and described the action as breach of the Constitutional rights of the staff to freedom of association and freedom of speech.
” We didn’t commit any crime by demanding transparency in the process of selecting a new vice-chancellor. We didn’t also commit any crime by asking that an Abia indigene be considered for the position as being done elsewhere. The man who ordered their arrest must have something that he is hiding, “the staff alleged .
It was gathered that the Abia staff in MOUAU meeting earlier scheduled to start at noon which formed the basis of the protest allegation was however shifted to 4pm.
Attempts to reach the MOUAU Council Chairman for his reaction proved abortive while the Vice Chancellor was said to be away on official duties outside the State .
Recall, Last week, a pressure group, Abia Democratic Alliance had also demanded transparency and integrity in the choice of a new vice-chancellor for MOUAU, following allegations of underhand dealings by Comrade Edeh, the council chairman to impose a particular candidate on the institution
