Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) have called for the removal of the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Bamidele Oyewole, over alleged high-handedness and financial misappropriation.
The SSANU members also locked the main gate leading to the institution to prevent movement into and out of the school to press home their demands.
They were seen displaying placards with various captions on Monday in the Ogun State capital, southwest Nigeria.
SSANU has also called for the reinstatement of three of its members allegedly suspended earlier by the Vice Chancellor.
Reacting to the accusation, Professor Oyewole insisted that he acted within the ambit of the law governing the university.
He asked the union members to sheath their sword to pave way for the resumption of students on October 3, after they were sent home after a violent demonstration.
The three senior staff of the institution were suspended by the Vice Chancellor over allegation of acts inimical to the smooth running of the institution.
SSANU had earlier called on the Federal Government fact finding team to investigate FUNAAB’s Vice Chancellor.
The union’s Chairman at the institution, Mr Rotimi Fasuwon, said their members were suspended on the order of Professor Oyewole for alleged acts prejudicial to the smooth running and governance of the university.
He accused the university authority of carrying out the suspension in bad faith.
The Vice Chancellor on his part, defended his action, saying due process was followed in the suspension of the three members of the union.
He also alleged that the crisis was motivated by internal politics, playing itself out among gladiators in the institution, a claim the SSANU Chairman denied.
