clarifies the stalled convocation and the professorial advancement of the former commissioner. denies vendetta, claims the council acted in good faith. No, you’re pursuing me. Don responds by defending SoS to Tinubu.
Comrade Fidelis Edeh, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Governing Council, stated that the council refused to approve the university’s 2025 convocation event due to the anticipated cost not being included in the budget.
Veteran labor leader Edeh called it “gross financial misconduct” that no respectable public entity could legitimately spend N211 million on a one-day event without a matching budgetary provision.
He condemned what he described as “orchestrated blackmail and misinformation” against the Governing Council regarding the stalled convocation during a news event in Umudike.
There isn’t a single acceptable government expense that isn’t covered by funding. “The convocation’s problem is straightforward: the 2025 budget did not include a subhead for it,” he stated.
He went on to say: “It’s surprising that someone would suggest spending an incredible N211 million on a single event without any financial support. Due process is what the council demands. Collective decisions rather than individual ones were made.
Speaking through Comrade Lucky Akabuike, his Special Advisor and former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abia State chapter, Edeh declared he would not permit himself to be implicated in any procedural violations that would harm his name.
Some people don’t realize how frequently audit reports or anti-graft organizations have questioned them. However, Akabuike stated that the Pro-Chancellor is cautious about his record and will not forego due process in order to hold a tenured position.
Controversy surrounding promotion
The Pro-Chancellor also refuted claims of personal grudges in the postponed professorial promotion of Dr. Philip Nto, a former Abia State Finance Commissioner, stating that the council set aside the subject after concerns were expressed over proper process.
“Dr. Nto has claimed that his promotion was halted by the Pro-Chancellor. That’s not true,” Edeh remarked.
He clarified that during a council discussion, a member of the university Senate expressed concerns that the evaluation process for Nto’s promotion did not adhere to established protocols.
The council decided to withdraw the suggestion pending additional research in light of that opposition. He emphasized, “It is a case of delayed promotion, not denied promotion.”
Edeh insisted that he does not make decisions on his own and stated that the council members came to the conclusion together.
He criticized Nto for bringing the issue to the attention of the media and submitting a petition to President Bola Tinubu without first using all available internal channels for grievances.
“It is unusual for a staff member to start talking about council issues in public without going through the proper processes. He went so far as to ask the Commander-in-Chief and the President to step in without first consulting the supervising ministries, he alleged.
Adding that his fellow academics were the ones who objected to his elevation, Edeh advised Nto to take his complaints elsewhere.
VC chastised
Even though the Vice-Chancellor was present at the council meeting where the suggestion was turned down, the Pro-Chancellor criticized him for “suddenly” advocating for Nto’s promotion.
During the meeting, the vice chancellor did not object. There are some questions that need to be addressed if he is now an advocate. “Why was Dr. Nto’s name not on previous lists when it was his duty to suggest qualified personnel?” he inquired.
Despite allegations that Nto was set for promotion as early as 2021, Edeh pointed out that the Vice-Chancellor presented two batches of workers for professorial appointments between July 2024 and August 2025, 68 in one case and 107 in another, both without his name appearing.
“Therefore, it is reasonable to question the urgency and haste of this promotion at this time,” he said.
Prosecution, not due process
Edeh declared that he would not be forced to approve “anything substandard,” characterizing himself as a strict disciplinarian who has no tolerance for dubious behavior.
“The Pro-Chancellor’s insistence on rules and due process may simply make anyone uncomfortable with his stance,” he stated.
Additionally, he criticized Nto’s assertions that he oversaw pupils and conducted classes while on leave, calling such behavior unlawful.
He declared, “Any official duty performed while on leave of absence is a nullity.”
Edeh said he chose to react publicly to a shift in his previous stance that he should not discuss problems with a staff member because he believed that being silent could be interpreted as guilt.
“The world may assume a vendetta if the Pro-Chancellor remains silent and the Vice-Chancellor, who is a member of council, denies the process,” he stated.
He emphasized that the university is named after a famous Nigerian leader and reiterated the council’s dedication to unity and peace.
Michael Okpara, a representation of excellent leadership and constructive government, is honored by the name of this organization. Anything bearing his name ought to be of the greatest caliber.
Nto retaliates
Dr. Nto responded quickly, dismissing Edeh’s assertions as false and stating that the Pro-Chancellor did not have sufficient knowledge of university administration.
Nto questioned, “Should I see native doctors instead of the press?” “As a visitor to the university, the President continues to be my ultimate arbiter.”
He maintained that President Tinubu is the employer of the council and the pro-chancellor, and therefore it was proper to seek presidential intervention.
He added that if he did not receive justice quickly, he would “formally petition to the right person.” “Unless they now consider themselves higher than the President, there is nothing wrong in my crying,” he stated.
Nto also criticized Edeh’s claim that a representative of ASUU opposed his promotion, pointing out that ASUU does not have a representative on the Governing Council or the Senate.
He claimed that the professor who was purportedly identified as opposed to his promotion took part in every step of the procedure without voicing any objections.
The Vice-Chancellor has acknowledged in public that his committee suggested that I be promoted. Then, who is denying it?” he asked.
Regarding allegations that he instructed while on leave, Nto stated that the assignments were formally authorized by the institution and referenced his involvement in accrediting processes.
He said that other teachers on leave of absence had lately received promotions, accusing the Pro-Chancellor of using double standards.
Nto pleaded with President Tinubu to for his professorial advancement to be released starting in 2021.
