Bernard Odoh, the recently removed Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, has challenged his removal by President Bola Tinubu, asserting that the president was ill-advised and wrong in his decision.
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In an interview on AriseTV on Thursday, Prof. Odoh argued that he cannot be removed from his position through a mere press release, as he was not appointed via such means. He emphasized his qualifications for the role, stating that he became a professor on October 1, 2015, and underwent a thorough assessment process before his appointment.
President Tinubu had earlier approved the dissolution of UNIZIK’s Governing Council and the removal of Prof. Odoh and the university’s Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Nwokike. The decision was made public on Wednesday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Odoh expressed his disagreement with the president’s decision, asserting that he is not imposing himself on the institution and that claims regarding his professorship are unfounded. He alleged that people were paid to remove his records from a university.
The embattled vice-chancellor further stated that he is not disobeying the president but emphasized that his sack should be recommended by the governing council. He criticized the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, for “jumping the gun” as the court has yet to rule on the matter.
Odoh also raised concerns about the lack of due process in his removal, noting that there was no panel of inquiry and that he was not given the opportunity to present his side of the story. He further alleged discrimination based on his state of origin, Ebonyi, claiming that people feel he is unqualified because he comes from a state regarded as “third class.”
Despite his removal, Prof. Odoh stated his intention to continue his duties at the university to ensure that activities and accreditation processes proceed smoothly. He questioned the wisdom of removing the vice-chancellor, registrar, and governing council simultaneously.
In conclusion, Odoh reiterated his belief that President Tinubu was ill-advised in his decision and maintained that his removal should only be carried out through the proper channels of the university’s governing council.
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