A leading contender for the position of the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Dutsin Ma, Sadiq Radda, has petitioned the minister of education, Tunji Alausa, over an alleged plot to compromise and exclude him from the race.
Mr Radda, who is a professor at the Sociology Department of Bayero University, Kano, said despite meeting all the criteria, many of them were dropped without any valid reasons.
He accused the outgoing vice chancellor, Prof. Armayau Bichi, of working to impose a candidate with lower qualifications.
The letter dated April 25 was copied to the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, Chairman of the governing council and ASUU FUDMA chapter.
The petition reads, ”I am one of the applicants to the post of Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Dutsin-Ma. I have complied with all criteria set as outlined by the University advert. The Council met and did a selection. Amazingly, many of us were dropped without any valid reason.
“Hon. Minister, I have served the University system with all my heart and strength for 36 years. I have always cherished fairness and due process.
“Here I am facing a very unfair and unjust process worsened by the current vice chancellor, Prof. Armayau Bichi. He was quoted as saying that ‘…over his dead body’ for someone like me to be the vice chancellor.
“He has his anointed candidate, Prof. Jamilu Shehu [a childhood friend and a classmate of mine to whom I have no qualms].
“Kindly ask for Prof. Jamilu Shehu’s CV and compare it with mine, See Appendix I. The Council Chairman and the main Council appear helpless for whatever reason.”
According to him, “the current vice chancellor, Prof. Armayau Bichi, is trying to impose Prof. Jamilu Shehu to cover up alleged financial malfeasance and recruitment scam.
“He feels unsafe with me and a couple of others having mal-administered the university,” the petition said.
He appealed to the minister to intervene and ensure all aspirant who met the requirements are given equal opportunity and fair treatment.
“The impunity of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armayau Bichi, in the face of a helpless Council should not be allowed to stand.
“Hon. Minister, it is my prayer that the process be made fair and just. The Council should act like one. All of us that applied should be allowed to compete.
“This will send the right signals that impunity by failed vice chancellors will not be covered through proxies.
“Kindly direct the Chairman of Council and the Members to treat us fairly by inviting all of us that are qualified. Hence, their interview date of 2nd May 2025 should be shifted to a more appropriate date”, the petition added.
