UI VC Race: Group Raises Alarm Over Alleged Imposition, Suppression Of Candidates

The Concerned Islamic Rights Group has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the appointment of the 13th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI) over the alleged imposition of candidate.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group said there were deliberate attempts to promote ethnicity and religion in the contest.

The group said, “several clannish groups have started addressing press conferences to drum support for their ethnic origins. “

“The most delicate one is the campaign along with religious affiliations.

“The e-voting strategy is being manipulated by the VC to garner advantage for his preferred candidate, the current Deputy VC Administration.

“There was an election to select congregation representatives at Senate and the results were quite astonishing. Out of a list of 152, only 2 are Muslims.

“The plan to oppress Muslims and prevent any of the Muslim candidates from occupying the VC seat was perfected through the e-voting manipulation to produce a pre-determined result.”

The group further alleged that “the manipulated and predetermined e-voting result in the university has clandestinely eliminated Muslims from the highest academic body where important decisions are taken.

“We think and believe that this should interest all lovers of justice and equal rights. This was never the case before and has never been so in the University of Ibadan, but the current powers that be have vowed to suppress Islam and Muslims. This has the potential for throwing up inter-religious crises that had long been suppressed in the university.

“It is on record that most of the supporters of the outgoing VC in 2015 were Muslims. They supported him even against a strong Muslim contender. Sadly, however, the ongoing process in UI has been conceived to favor a particular candidate.”

The group called on the Federal Government to intervene now as a matter of urgency before crises break out.

The appointment of the 13th VC has commenced in the nation’s premier university, University of Ibadan amidst tensions and strange feelings.