ASUU-Calabar Zone alleges plans by Umahi to ostracize its members from Ebonyi state

The Academic Staff Union of Universities [ASUU], Calabar Zone has alleged that Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has concluded plans to force its Acting Chairperson in Ebonyi State University, Comrade Ikechuku Okorie Igwenyi, to resign and leave Ebonyi State or face harsh consequences.

This disclosure was made by the Union’s Zonal Coordinator, Dr. AniekanBrown while addressing newsmen in Uyo on new year day. The Calabar Zone is comprised of seven Universities across four states including AbiaState University, Akwa Ibom State University, Cross River Universityof Technology, University of Calabar, Ebonyi State University, Alex Ekwueme University and University of Uyo.

According to him, the governor gave the threat message to their colleague on Christmas Eve when political stakeholders from his area paid him visit, saying the governor was accusing their member of being the one that has made the state not to see peace, an allegation which was unfounded.

“It became a cause of concern and worry to the Union that as political stakeholders in Ohaozara, led by the Local Government Chairperson, Princess Nkechi Iyioku and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Bar. Samuel Okoronkwo visited Governor David Umahi in the spirit of Christmas at his country home in Uburu on 28th December, 2020, the outcome was a threat to mobilize youths and traditional rulers from the area to occupy the family home of Comrade Ikechuku Okorie Igwenyi in Abakaliki, who is the Acting Chairperson of ASUU EBSU Branch to force him to resign and leave Ebonyi State or face some consequences. Similar instruction was given to youths, Technical Advisers and Faculty Presidents in EBSU on 29th December, 2020 when they paid a Christmas visit to the Governor.

“Governor David Umahi, who is supposed to be the Chief security Officer of the State with the primary obligation of protecting lives and properties of the citizens saying that Comrade Igwenyi is the reason there is no peace in the State and in the University and urged the people of Ohaozara Local Government Area to raise 1000 youths and occupy the residence of Comrade Ikechuku Igwenyi at Abakaliki forseven days, apprehend his parents in their family home at Okposi and occupy the place for another seven days while the traditional rulers should initiate plans to ostracize the Igwenyi family from Okposi Community, should he fail to leave the seat as ASUU Chairperson and resign his appointment as a Lecturer from the University, stating that his APC government will not tolerate any perceived enemy of the partand would knock any perceived opposition in the mouth to paralysis”.

ASUU-Calabar zone expressed surprise on how a lecturer in a state university could be the one to make a whole state not to see peace, noting that, to their knowledge, the perceived ‘sin’ of its Chairperson by the governor was the union insistence that workers welfare in the university should be given adequate attention.

The Union therefore called on the people of the state and Nigerians at large to hold the governor of Ebonyi state responsible should anything happen to their member.

“As political allies to the Governor of Ebonyi State in Ohaozara are planning to mobilize youths to occupy Comrade Igwenyi’s home and expel his family through the Traditional Rulers Council, one pertinent question is how Comrade Ikechuku Igwenyi has become a threat to peace in Ebonyi State for advocating for workers welfare that a Governor is ordering such an illustrious son to leave his appointment and employment in EBSU in his own interest or face the consequences. Has he done any other thing than represent the interest of EBSU staff that he serves diligently and vowed to represent their interest satisfactorily.

“On this note, it has become imperative that the life of Comrade Igwenyi and family is under intense threat by Governor David Umahi and all concerned should take note and save the situation before it getsout of control. Should anything happen to Comrade Ikechuku Igwenyi and family, everyone should hold Governor David Nweze Umahi responsible”.