By Hassan Lawan Koli, Gombe
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the University Governing Council and the Gombe State Government of violating university laws in the appointment of acting vice-chancellor.
During the press briefing at the union’s headquarters on Tuesday, the chairman of the ASUU Gombe State Chapter, Dr. Sulaiman Salihu Jauro, contended that the university’s governing council’s decision lacks legal backing and has called for stakeholder intervention to prevent further crises at the institution.
Responding to the development, the chairman of the University Governing Council, Sen. Joshua Lidani, refuted the allegations, saying they are on the right track.
“The university laws have clearly stated that the governing council has the mandate of appointing the acting vice chancellor, and that is what it did to avoid leaving a vacuum in the institution’s leadership as the vice chancellor’s tenure elapsed and the State Governor who is a visitor in the university rejected the 3 recommended candidates for the position. So, we are not violating any law, and I advised ASUU to sheathe their sword and allow the process of selecting the VC to be completed”, he stated.
This development follows a series of disputes between ASUU and the Gombe State University Administration. In September 2024, the university’s ASUU chapter commenced an indefinite strike over unmet demands, including the non-implementation of the 2021 Memorandum of Action, unpaid academic allowances, and salary adjustments.
The strike was suspended in October 2024 after the Gombe State Government approved ₦947 million to address staff promotions and earned academic allowances. This agreement led to the resumption of academic activities.
Despite this resolution, tensions have persisted, culminating in ASUU’s recent allegations regarding the appointment of the acting vice-chancellor. The union urges prompt action from relevant stakeholders to uphold the university’s legal framework and ensure stability within the institution.