Leadership crisis rocking Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka UNIZIK, Anambra state has gone awry as two Vice Chancellors are currently claiming headship to the seat.
Prof Joseph Ikechebelu appointed on acting capacity barely two months ago had been on the saddle untill last Saturday when the Amb Greg Mbadiwe led council sacked him and installed Prof Carol Umobi as the Acting Vice Chancellor.
However the University management said there was no decision taken during the alleged failed council meeting and nobody has been appointed apart from Ikechebelu.
According to a statement by its Registrar, Samuel Ufoh, the management said the status quo ante remains as the council meeting ended inconclusively.
But the institution’s governing council, on Saturday removed Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, replacing him with Prof. Mrs Carol Umobi as Acting Vice Chancellor.
The chairman of the council Amb. Greg Mbadiwe after an allegedly stalled meeting at the Senate chamber handed over the appointment letter to Umeobi outside the chamber.
The council meeting had earlier started with heavy presence of combined security personnel of military and police who sorrounded the administrative block of the University.
The military who acompanied the Pro Chancellor and external members had attempted entry to the Senate chamber but were resisted.
A letter from the governing council, signed by the chairman, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe congratulated Umobi on the appointment.
Mbadiwe said the appointment, which is for a period of six months is in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of First Schedule, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act CAP 139, LFN 2004 as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amended) Act 2007.
According to him, the appointment is for a period not later than six months, effective Monday, July 22, 2024, noting that terms and conditions of the appointment were approved by Federal Government for all Federal Universities.
He also informed that a copy of the letter of appointment has been forwarded to the Honourable Minister of Education for the information of the Visitor to the University.
