The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, (SSANU), has distance itself from the solidarity protest by the acting Chairman of the University of Lagos chapter, Comrade Olusola Sowunmi, on the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, by the University’s council.
Sowunmi had allegedly joined the joint meeting of the university based unions in the condemnation of the Dr. Wale Babalakin-led Council of the University of Lagos in what they described as “unjust, ungodly and illegal” removal of the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ogundipe.
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In a statement signed by SSANU’s acting Secretary on Friday, Comrade Feyisetan Olaoluwa, the unions’ executive of the Unilag chapter condemned its acting Chairman for joining in the protest.
It further alleged that the entire scenario was political and that the union will not dabble into the leadership tussle in the institution.
The statement reads in parts: “The Executive of Unilag Senior Staff Association of Nigeria wish to inform our democratic, well informed and honest union members of the University of Lagos that the action of the Acting Chairman yesterday in the rally of Academic Staff union on the removal of the former Vice Chancellor of the university of Lagos, professor Toyin Ogundipe, was a unilateral decision of his person and none of the Executive members was briefed.
“It should be made public that after he had made his blunders as usual, it was also clear that our national body has called him to steer clear of the crisis he ignored all cautions.
“The letter of invitation for the Congress of ASUU was not extended to our union; therefore, it is unthinkable and lawless for a signature to be appended on our behalf in abstentia.
“He…appended his signature as Chairman when he was indeed in Acting capacity.
“We are not in support of his one man show.
“In this regard, we humbly tender our apology to our members for this one man show ignominy.
“We are neutral on this issue.
“We pray for amicable resolution of crisis on the soil of University of Lagos.
“Your votes brought us to power and we must respect your mandate.
“Once again it was a one man show not SSANU Unilag Branch Executives.”
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