By Mahdi Waziri Isa
Former Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ahmadu Bello University Branch, Professor Muhammad Kabir Aliyu, has criticized the ex-Acting Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University (KASU), Professor Abdullahi Musa Ashafa for attempting to use a Hausa Program on Kaduna-based Nagarta Radio to discredit the appointment of Professor Adamu Ahmed as the 14th Vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, the process of which was widely acknowledged by even fellow contenders of the stool as free, fair and credible.
Professor Ashafa’s criticism of Ahmadu Bello University’s (ABU) Vice Chancellor appointment process is not only unfounded but also reeks of hypocrisy. As a former Acting VC of Kaduna State University (KASU) who contested for the VC position and came third, only to have the Visitor of the University, Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, appoint the fifth-placed candidate instead and was not challenged by Prof. Ashafa, it is surprising that Ashafa is now questioning the process in ABU using political, sectional and ethnic sentiments.
Ashafa’s reliance on hearsay and falsehood to judge ABU’s process is unbecoming of a professor. The Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1993 guides federal university VC appointments, and ABU followed this process. The Selection Board presented a report to the Governing Council, ranking candidates and allowing the Council to appoint one of the top three, and not necessarily the first, as Professor Ashafa mischievously tries to portray. The council has the discretion to use other factors to appoint any of the three as Vice-chancellor.
Ashafa’s attempt to discredit ABU’s process is surprising, given that ABU has a history of appointing VCs who weren’t the top-ranked candidate. For instance, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha came second in 2010 and was still appointed VC.
Furthermore, Professor Ashafa’s criticism of ABU’s process is particularly hypocritical considering his own history of trying to undermine ASUU members’ rights while he was acting VC at KASU. Specifically, Ashafa had attempted to sack ASUU members to appease the government and gain favor for the VC position.
The ABU community has accepted the outcome of the process in good faith, and ASUU ABU has officially accepted the outcome of the process.
Ultimately, Ashafa should refrain from causing unnecessary crisis and discontent in ABU.