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...Describes role as illegal

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State has been thrown into a serious pandemonium and chaos following the alleged involvement of the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Ude in the election of Senate Representatives to Joint Council/Senate Committee for Selection of Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the citadel of learning, even as the University community accused her of lying against the Visitor of the University, Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, CFR.<!--more-->

A source in the institution who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that the involvement of the Education Commissioner in the exercise clearly showed that she had something up her sleeves, noting that the Madam Commissioner lack the legitimacy to meddle into the affairs of the Senate and processes of selecting a substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Continuing, the source noted that the varsity community had it in good authority that the Governor did not in any way ask her to assume the position she conferred on herself in the exercise.

'We were told that the Governor through the Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, instructed her to come and monitor the election which turned out to be lies. We were terrified with her involvement. She practically usurped the powers of the University Senate. The question in everyone's lips is why would she lie against the Governor. Why would she use the name of the Governor as a cover? Why is she hell-bent on truncating the peace we are enjoying here in the university? Whose interest is she serving? These are questions begging for answers.

'You can see that people are not happy at all. There is a serious problem now in the University. We have had this election before, and it turned out successful. Few individuals went and wrote a petition, claiming that the outcome was marred with irregularities even when over 52 persons came out openly to declare that the process was free, fair, and credible. They went against the majority and acted on the petition of the few individuals. Go to the faculties, departments, offices, administrative blocks, and platforms and see how people are expressing and registrating their displeasure. I am very glad that a brave comrade spoke out, which was purely rape in our citadel, especially at a high level decision making body. We shouldn't allow this to be swept under the carpet knowing fully it is an unhealthy precedent.

'First, it was the announcement directive of a "four-man' Senate electoral committee that was rescinded after interrogations on their legitimacy. Now this? Old or young, senior or junior, male or female, COOU must outlive all of us. The next 25 years of COOU is already looking very interesting,' he concluded.

For another visibly angry concerned member of the University community, 'For the Record. Having entertained many questions on the conduct of the Senate election to the Joint Committee of Council and Senate for the selection of substantive VC for COOU. I have the following issues to address. The role of the Commissioner for Education that doubled as observer and electoral umpire is illegal and unlawful. I am aware that the Governing Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University didn't authorise the role played by the Commissioner for Education in the Senate election of Joint Committee. The Commissioner for Education has set a very bad precedence in the Senate of COOU - that her action can not be tolerated in any university senate. The university is governed by its established laws, and that should be respected.

'The Commissioner for Education should explain to the Senate of COOU who sent her to conduct the Senate election on 9th July 2025. Until proven otherwise, I vehemently say that the Visitor of the University, Mr. Governor did not send Commissioner for Education to COOU under any guise whatsoever.

According to another source who also pleaded not to be mentioned, 'I watched with great dismay how the University Senate was raped who neither the University Law nor the Senate Rule empowered to superimpose herself on the university Senate. This is a complete illegality.

'If the Governor sent the Commissioner to conduct the election, it should have been on a white paper from the Government House, and the University Management will be privy to it. There wouldn't have been any need to set up a committee in the first place.

'If the University Council sent the Commissioner, it would amount to an act of interference and meddling into Senate affairs, which the Council doesn't have the rights to do.

'If the Commissioner came in her capacity as the Commissioner for Education, who invited her? She should have stayed and observed and not imposed herself on the Senate

'If the Commissioner came as a Professor of the University, she should be reminded that she is on a leave of absence and can not participate in the Senate decisions. So, on whose authority did she act? This continuous rape of the university by desperate few individuals must stop. We are learning.

For another concerned member, For the Record – In Support of the earlier speakers' Position
Having reviewed the points raised by them regarding the conduct of the Senate election to the Joint Council-Senate Committee for the selection of a substantive Vice-Chancellor for Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), I wish to strongly align myself with the observations and concerns expressed.It is indeed worrisome and irregular that the Commissioner for Education, who had no official mandate from either the Governing Council or the Visitor of the University (the Governor), assumed dual roles as an observer and electoral umpire in such a sensitive internal Senate exercise.

This action is both illegal and unprecedented within the context of university autonomy and governance principles. The following points must be emphasized:

'Breach of Protocol and Established University Laws: COOU, like all other public universities, is guided by its enabling law and internal statutes.

'The Commissioner's interference undermines these structures and violates the institutional integrity of the Senate.

'Lack of Authorization: There is no record or directive from the Governing Council or the Visitor empowering the Commissioner to preside over, supervise, or conduct any Senate election. Her unilateral involvement portrays a disregard for due process.

'Ulterior Motive Suspected: This action suggests a motive beyond observation and has, understandably, generated suspicion and unrest among members of the academic community. It gives the impression of an attempt to influence or control the outcome of a process that should be purely academic and internal.

'Dangerous Precedent: Allowing such interference to go unchallenged sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the autonomy of the university and the academic freedom of its Senate. It is a situation that must be addressed decisively to safeguard the sanctity of our governance systems.

'Clarification Demanded: The Commissioner owes the Senate and the entire University community an explanation of who authorized her involvement. Until proven otherwise, it is proper and responsible to assert that the Visitor did not instruct her to act in such a capacity.

'In conclusion, this issue goes beyond the current election—it is about upholding the rule of law, protecting the independence of university organs, and resisting the politicization of academic governance. I stand with earlier callers in demanding accountability and a reaffirmation of the rightful roles of the Senate and the Council in university affairs.

'This is a bold statement coming from whom we all voted to represent us in Council. If this is a Council position prior to the election, then the commissioner can't be an observer at the same time an umpire.