ASUU OAU CRISIS: NATIONAL EXCOS INTERVENE AND CONDEMN CARETAKER COMMITTEE.

 ASUU OAU CRISIS: NATIONAL EXCOS INTERVENE AND CONDEMN CARETAKER COMMITTEE.

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Obafemi Awolowo University branch has been weaken by faction crisis. The union has no unanimous decision on national issues, which was evident in their reactions to strike actions in the last few months.

    In an attempt to resolve the crisis, a Trustee committee (Osodoke committee), which had Comr. Hassan Sunmonu, Comr. Assisi Asobie and Comr. Abdullahi Sule-Kano from the National arm of the Union as its members, was set up to look into the division crisis.

    On Monday, 14th of August, an in-house meeting was held in AUD 1 lecture theatre of the institution. The meeting was attended by National executives, Zonal executives and members of ASUU. Veterans of the Union, Prof. Olorode and Prof. Dipo Fashina were also present.

    From the report and findings read by Comr. Prof. Abdullahi Sule-Kano, the Trustee committee was able to gather that the division was brought about by the political affiliation of some of the members of the Union with the selection of the Vice chancellor in 2016. It was noted that the branch Chairman Dr. Caleb Aborisade was an ally of Prof. Bamitale Omole (former OAU VC) and Prof. Ayobami Salami (Deputy VC). Also, it was stated in the report that there were faults in the 2016 electioneering process of ASUU OAU because the Financial secretary and Treasurer were on sabbatical leave during the process.

    The elected Chairman of the branch, Dr. Caleb Aborisade of the department of Physics was said to have flouted the principles of the Union in the exercise of duties.

    The caretaker committee chaired by Mr. Niyi Sumonu also from the department of Physics, was condemned because there is no provision for it in the principles of ASUU.

"The caretaker committee is an illegal contraption unknown to ASUU OAU. " was stated in the report.

   It was gathered that the caretaker committee has over 800 members of ASUU OAU on its side. The committee came up when the Dr. Caleb led administration walked out on the Union in a congress. The caretaker committee was said to have been active since then.

However, at the end of the report were recommendations made by Trustee committee, which includes that;

1.Those against who prima facie evidence was provided should be put through ASUU constitutional procedure for sanction. Thesame applies to individuals and members who have been illegally proclaiming and parading themselves as members of ASUU OAU caretaker committee.

2. Those members of ASUU OAU congress, who have flouted the authority of NEC or challenge its decisions to take rightful actions to take the Union ahead should be given the opportunity to defend themselves and after that, anyone found guilty after the process should be disciplined in accordance with the provision of the constitution.

     Following the report of the committee, Prof. Olorode advised the members of ASUU OAU branch to be committed intellectually and absolutely to the course and progress of the Union.

     "The Vice Chancellor, Mr. Ogunbodede through the security unit, wants to stop of us from holding this meeting. The last time this happened was in the 1980s. Though OAU has been known for controversies, intellectual commitment is necessary to proceed in the affairs of our union."

He said.

   Other elder comrades also emphasized on the unity of the Union.

   "Looking at the number present today, it's a little above a hundred. Let us work towards achieving a stronger body and let us uphold everything in the principles of the Union." Prof. Dipo Fashina said.

   In response to the report, some of the members expressed their contentment towards the recommendations of the Trustee committee.

   "I'm happy and I pray that all your efforts will not be in vain." Prof. Wale Adegbite, a senior lecturer of the department of English, expressed.

  Dr.(Mrs) Ola Ajila .K., who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES commended the efforts of the broad of Trustee but expressed her dissatisfaction about the national body not responding before this time.

   "The findings and report was balanced as they blamed the appropriate quarters without being bias. But, why did it take  them this long to come up with this kind of substantial report? Knowing fully well that ASUU OAU is the motherboard of ASUU. The whole crisis has degenerated and we will have to start gathering the broken parts together. After reading the report to the principal officers, they will have to read it to the National Executive Council of the Union. All these will take time. Who knows when they will come up with their pronouncement? " She said.

   The report of the board of Trustee will be read at the level of National Executive Council and their recommendations will be deliberated upon, afterwards, the final pronouncement about ASUU OAU will be made.

Olufemi Alfred .O.

Reporting.....