Why OAU may not participate in ASUU strike again

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife that is expected to join in the nationwide strike may not participate in the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU strike again due to a crisis that led to the disintegration of the leadership of ASUU in the university.

Naija News earlier reports that the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Eyitope Ogunbodede disclosed that the university will not join the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, indefinite strike announced on Monday in Abuja.

It was gathered that OAU used to be an ardent member of ASUU, until the 2016 crisis in the university which split the union into two factions after a group of the teachers declared the removal of Caleb Aborisade as the union’s chairman, due to a crisis over the appointment of Anthony Elujoba as acting vice-chancellor of the university.

A decision which Mr. Aborisade and a group of teachers vehemently opposed.

Therefore, this led to the dissolution of the leadership of ASUU, and subsequent announcement of Niyi Sunmonu as the chairman of the caretaker committee in its place.

However, ASUU supported Mr. Aborisade and nullifies the appointment of Sunmonu, saying that his appointment did not follow due process.

The crisis among the teachers in the university escalated when Mr. Elujoba who is facing trial for alleged corruption, was replaced as the vice-chancellor with Eyitope Ogunbodede.

It was learnt that the new vice-chancellor showed great concern to Elujoba by mobilising support for him in the university against his trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).