UNIZIK Responds to Allegations Against Vice-Chancellor

The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has issued a strong response to rumors alleging that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, is attempting to influence the appointment of his successor. The institution clarified that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government, not the Vice-Chancellor, to appoint his replacement.

The allegations against Prof. Esimone surfaced online, suggesting that he had handpicked his successor, with some reports claiming he intended to defy President Tinubu’s authority to appoint the next Vice-Chancellor. The claims further stated that Prof. Esimone aimed to impose a “stooge” as the Acting Vice-Chancellor.

In a statement released over the weekend in Awka, Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor (Public Relations and Special Duties), vehemently denied these allegations. He stated that Prof. Esimone, who is set to step down as UNIZIK’s Vice-Chancellor in June, has no legal authority to appoint his successor.

Dr. Ojukwu described the online reports as false and unfounded, emphasizing that any directive on the appointment of the Acting Vice-Chancellor would come from the Federal Ministry of Education. He warned that such baseless speculations were being spread by individuals seeking to discredit the institution and urged them to cease their campaign of calumny against the Vice-Chancellor.

The university’s response aims to quell the growing speculation and maintain trust in the official process for appointing the next Vice-Chancellor.