University of Ilesa:  Adeleke, APC clash over appointment of principal officers

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has described the recent appointments of principal officers for the University of Ilesa as part of the fulfilment of his promise to nurture a sustainable tertiary institution for Ijeshaland.

Adeleke in a statement signed by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Friday also reaffirmed his commitment to building a sound-footed University.

In his words, “I am elated that we are keeping faith with the Ijesha people. We are upholding due process, avoiding politicization of the academic environment, correcting errors of the past and fulfilling the decades-old dream of the Ijesha people.

“I urge all stakeholders to cooperate with the new Vice Chancellor as he settles down to the urgent task of sustainable take-off of the university.”

Earlier, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) described the appointment of Processor Asaolu as the VC of the University and the sacking of the erstwhile Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kayode Ijaduola and other principal officers appointed by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola as reckless.

In a statement by the APC acting chairman, Tajudeen Lawal on Friday, the party maintained that the action has further portrayed Adeleke’s administration as one that lacks governance basics.

The establishment of the University has been another source of bickering between the APC, PDP and Governor Adeleke on the one hand and the Academic staff of the College of Education, Ilesa and Governor Adeleke on the other.

While the Osun APC claims the institution is a product of law and duly established by a law signed by the former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola and approved by the National Universities Commission, NUC, the Adeleke administration claims that Oyetola hijacked the project which was one of his campaign promises during the 2018 gubernatorial electioneering campaign.

The academic staff of the College which was upgraded to the University are lamenting what would befall them when the university takes off.

The disagreement in 2022 led to a protest by the local chapter of the College of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU.