Academic Staff Union of Universities has berated Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi for allegedly imposing a Vice-Chancellor on the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
This came just as the union decried the absence of governing councils in some universities in the country.
ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Isa, said this at a press briefing in Calabar on Monday.
He said, "Amaechi seems to believe that the university should be run according to his whims and caprices and has found, pitiably, a lieutenant in the chairman of the council. But what are the facts surrounding the position of ASUU on RSUST?
"We need to reiterate the background to thecrisis in the university. Prof Fakae had servedhis full term as VC of RSUST. By the provisions of ASUU/FGN agreement, the tenure of VCs is a single term of five years, which is not renewable.
"The principle of university autonomy entailsthat the procedure to be adopted in the selection of a VC must follow due process. In reappointing of Fakae, the Rotimi Amaechi administration failed to follow due process.
"The ASUU NEC views the situation in RSUST with grave concern. The assault by the governor and his agent on our members must come to an end. ASUU condemns the action of the governor and the shameless complicity of the university governing council."
The lecturers commended the resistance by their colleagues in the institution.
Isa also decried the absence of governing councils in some universities, saying they should be constituted.
According to him, the universities are Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State; Imo State University, Owerri; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State; Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; University of Benin and University of Jos.
While calling for the immediate constitution of board for the universities, the union insisted that the country has enough qualified and experienced individuals to serve in those capacities.
That is not good enough.Imposing things on people should be a thing of the past in this country