Students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Wednesday, staged a protest against what they described as an attempt to destabilise the institution through unsubstantiated allegations against the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina.
Similarly, an advocacy group, Campaign for Justice and Fair Play, accused the National Women’s Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities of orchestrating a well-funded campaign to remove the VC.
The Student Union Vice President, Olaniyan Eniola, led the protest, warning the SSANU Women’s Committee against making inflammatory statements that could disrupt the peace and stability of the institution.
The controversy stems from a recent demand by the SSANU Women’s Committee during a meeting in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, calling for the suspension of Prof. Fasina over an alleged sexual harassment case involving a senior staff member, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo.
However, the protesting students, carrying placards with various inscriptions, dismissed the allegation as baseless and politically motivated.
They accused the SSANU committee of attempting to derail the university’s progress.
Flanked by Chief Justice of the Student Union Judicial Council, Victor Olaseni, and Senate President’s representative, Idowu Odunayo, Eniola condemned what he described as media blackmail and misinformation.
“We are appalled by the actions of the SSANU National Women’s Committee, led by Mrs. Ijeoma Kalu, which is demanding the suspension of our highly respected VC over a completely unfounded allegation,” he said.
“We were shocked to read how they publicly disgraced themselves by calling for the removal of our beloved VC without any factual basis.”
The students further asserted that Adebayo had never formally accused Prof. Fasina of sexual harassment.
“The VC has already clarified that Mrs. Adebayo, in her official petition to the governing council, never mentioned sexual harassment,” Eniola stated.
“Even in her statements before the Nigerian Police, which investigated the matter, there was no mention of sexual harassment. So where did the SSANU Women’s Committee fabricate this claim from? On what basis are they demanding his suspension? This is clearly a politically motivated smear campaign, which is doomed to fail.”
In a related development, CJFP Chairman, Calistus Jemade, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, accused the SSANU Women’s Committee of leading a coordinated effort to undermine the vice-chancellor’s leadership.
“The sponsors of this campaign are not seeking justice but are actively working to destabilise the university,” Jemade said.
“This is a calculated political attack designed to discredit a leader who has worked tirelessly to improve FUOYE. These individuals, motivated by self-interest, are determined to take control of the university’s leadership at any cost.”
CJFP called on the FUOYE Senate, alumni, staff, and students to stand in solidarity with the vice-chancellor and resist any attempts to create division within the institution.
The group also urged the chairman of the governing council to expedite action on the ongoing investigation to prevent further misinformation from spreading.