Government Faults ASUU Position on UNIOSUN VC Tenure, Says Due Process Was Followed
…Governor Insists Tenure Extension Backed by Law, Urges Union to Respect University Governance Structure….
Governor Ademola Adeleke, Visitor to Osun State University, UNIOSUN, has faulted the recent statement by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over its plan to deploy a team to Osogbo regarding the extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clement Odunayo Adebooye.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the Governor said while he respects the right of staff unions to express views on university matters, the governance of UNIOSUN is regulated by law and the statutory responsibilities of the Visitor, the Governing Council and the Osun State House of Assembly.
The government described as inaccurate claims that the decision on the VC’s tenure was taken arbitrarily or outside due process.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the current tenure of the Vice-Chancellor subsists until January 2027. The government has not taken any retroactive decision with respect to the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor,” the statement said.
It explained that Governor Adeleke’s decision was made within his constitutional and statutory responsibilities as Visitor, and was followed by legislative intervention by the Osun State House of Assembly.
According to the statement, the House commenced the process of amending the Osun State University Establishment Law to provide the necessary statutory framework for the tenure extension. The amendment was subsequently considered and passed after legislative scrutiny.
The government stressed that it is wrong to portray the matter as though the Visitor acted in isolation.
“The Visitor cannot be said to have acted outside the law where the competent legislative authority has exercised its constitutional legislative function to amend the enabling law,” it stated.
It added that the fact that the earlier law contained a specific provision on VC tenure does not preclude the Legislature from reviewing or amending it through due process.
The statement further noted that while ASUU plays an important role in promoting staff welfare, that role does not confer upon the Union the authority to determine, direct or substitute its judgment for the statutory responsibilities vested by law in the Visitor, the Governing Council or the House of Assembly.
No staff union, including ASUU, has the statutory authority to teach the Visitor or the Governing Council how to exercise powers lawfully vested in them. The University is governed by its enabling law, and not by the unilateral interpretation of any union or pressure group,” it added.
The Governor urged members of the university community to refrain from actions capable of creating needless tension in an institution focused on teaching, research and service.
He noted that attention should be directed towards ongoing programmes, including preparations for the University’s 16th Convocation Ceremonies and other activities aimed at consolidating the institution’s progress.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to rule of law, due process, and institutional stability, and said it welcomes constructive engagement with unions, but only within legal boundaries and established governance structures.