The former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Bernard Odoh, has expressed his deep dissatisfaction with his removal from office, claiming that his dismissal did not follow due process.
Odoh’s removal came after an intervention by the Federal Government over mounting tensions at the university. The government, through a statement issued by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused the university’s governing council of appointing an unqualified vice-chancellor without following the necessary legal procedures.
However, in a recent interview with Arise TV, Professor Odoh rejected the claim that his removal was legal. He argued that the process was flawed and that only the governing council had the authority to recommend his removal. Odoh stressed that a press release from the president was not a legitimate way to dismiss him.
“I’m not disobeying Mr. President, but it is the governing council that will recommend my sack after investigating me,” Odoh said, adding, “Mr. President could have been ill-advised.”
He further stated, “You can’t fire somebody you didn’t employ. The Visitor (President Tinubu) appointed the council, and the council followed due process to engage and give me a letter. He can’t remove me through a press release.”
Odoh clarified that his appointment as vice-chancellor was made through the correct channels. According to him, President Tinubu appointed the governing council, which in turn followed the proper procedure to engage him and offer him the position.
The sacked VC also criticized the lack of an inquiry panel into his removal, saying that no investigation or due process was followed. “There was no panel of inquiry. I was not appointed through a press release but rather by a constituted authority which followed a straightforward procedure,” Odoh added.
In addition to defending his appointment, Odoh addressed doubts raised about his academic qualifications. He explained that when questions were raised about his credentials, the then-Registrar of the university took his records to the Sokoto State High Court for validation.
“What some people did was to pay somebody to remove my records from the university. The VC who appointed me still teaches at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and he wrote my reference letter,” he said.
Odoh also criticized the premature intervention of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, pointing out that several legal cases related to his appointment were still pending in court. He argued that the ministry had acted too soon without waiting for the court’s decision.
“The court hasn’t ruled on this matter. So, I don’t see a basis for all of this noise,” Odoh remarked.
One of the most striking elements of Odoh’s statement was his allegation that ethnic bias played a role in his dismissal. He claimed that as a native of Ebonyi State, he was unfairly targeted by individuals who wanted to remove him from office.
“I’m from Ebonyi State. We are regarded as third-class people. People feel I’m not qualified because I come from Ebonyi State,” Odoh explained. “People have ganged up to remove me at all costs. The Federal Ministry of Education is introducing a crisis on campus. I am an alumnus of this university. It pains me that the university is being destroyed.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had previously criticized the university’s governing council for allegedly failing to follow due process in Odoh’s appointment. ASUU called for the dissolution of the council, accusing them of engaging in illegal practices.
With tensions high, the controversy surrounding Odoh’s removal from office continues to unfold. While the university community remains divided over the issue, one thing is clear: the process that led to Odoh’s dismissal remains shrouded in uncertainty.
