The leadership crisis rocking the University of Abuja, (UniAbuja) has taken a fresh dimension as a plot to appoint a substantive vice chancellor by the University’s Governing Council failed.

Channels Television learnt late afternoon on Monday that members of the external Governing Council boycotted a meeting purportedly convened by the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita.

AVM Katia, who is alleged to have an anointed candidate to fill the position, had called for the council meeting late Monday to appoint a substantive vice-chancellor by 3:00 pm on Tuesday.

However, a source close to the university confirmed that the external members were not aware of the decision of the chairman, especially when he could not produce an agenda before the meeting.

The source disclosed that the law is clear about the selection and appointment of the vice-chancellor and that the chairman is not following due process.

According to the source, the law states that unless the chairman, two council members who are not members of the Senate, and two representatives of the Senate who are not members of the Council are present, any interview conducted for the selection of a vice-chancellor is null and void.

The external council members who boycotted the meeting include Professor Raphael Akinfeleye, representing South West; Chisom Dorcas Obih, representing the South East, and Sabo Bappayo Ahmed, representing the North-East.

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has been embroiled in a deep crisis over the process of appointing a new vice chancellor following the exit of Professor Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah on July 1.

At the heart of the dispute are allegations that the new governing council, in collaboration with certain staff members, is attempting to install Professor Aisha Maikudi, despite her alleged ineligibility under the advertised criteria.