SaharaReporters gathered that the move was in response to Ugoh's alleged role in the controversial appointment of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as the substantive vice-chancellor of the university.
A meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja Branch, ended in disarray on Tuesday as members attempted to pass a vote of no confidence on the chairman, Sylvester Ugoh.
SaharaReporters gathered that the move was in response to Ugoh's alleged role in the controversial appointment of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as the substantive vice-chancellor of the university.
A source close to the matter revealed to SaharaReporters on Tuesday evening that a dramatic turn of events unfolded during the meeting, when a member proposed a vote of no confidence in the chairman, which was promptly seconded.
However, just as it seemed the motion was gaining traction, the immediate past chairman of ASUU branch intervened with a counter motion, effectively bringing the meeting to an abrupt end without a resolution being reached.
A source within the union revealed that the congress is upset with the branch leadership, accusing them of being involved in the “fraudulent activities surrounding Maikudi's appointment”.
According to the member, the leadership has abandoned ASUU's principles and played a role in the unlawful appointment of the vice-chancellor, sparking widespread discontent among the union's members.
He said, "ASUU’s meeting ended abruptly today, January 14, 2025 in serious crisis due to the alleged complicity and compromise of the branch leadership of ASUU, University of Abuja, in the fraudulent manipulations that led to the emergence of Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi as the substantive VC of the University of Abuja.
"The congress was aggrieved with ASUU leadership because they have compromised on the principles of ASUU and are complicit in the illegal appointment of the contentious vice chancellor.
"One of the ASUU members even cited the appointment of the secretary of ASUU, Prof. Sunday Onakpa, as the Director, University Veterinary Clinic, as payback for their betrayal of the cause of the union."
Meanwhile, video clips of the ASUU meeting seen by SaharaReporters on Tuesday evening show the Congress in a rowdy session.
On December 31, 2024, SaharaReporters reported that Maikudi had been announced as the new vice-chancellor of the school despite the controversy and protests surrounding the selection process.
Her appointment has been met with resistance from some professors, who raised the alarm that the selection process was manipulated to favour her.
They also alleged that the Chairman of the Governing Council was rushed to conclude the selection process during the Christmas and New Year break, without giving adequate time for proper evaluation.