The management of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) in Abia State has denied a report alleging that the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Barrister Fidelis Edeh, attempted to sack some internal members of the Council. According to the university's Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Mr Anyaso Anyaso, the report published by an online platform is misleading and malicious. The university alleged that some former internal members of the Governing Council sponsored the publication.
In a statement dated September 19, 2026, Anyaso urged members of the university community, stakeholders, and the general public to disregard the claims and rely on official information from the institution. He explained that there was no Governing Council meeting on the day the alleged sack was purportedly discussed because the Council could not form a quorum following the expiration of the tenure of the former internal members.
The affected internal Council members were elected on September 7, 2022, for a four-year tenure, which expired on September 7, 2026. Anyaso emphasized that the Pro-Chancellor has no power to extend or terminate the tenure of any Council member, whether internal or external. He referenced a circular titled, “Reviewing the Guidelines for Ministries’ Representatives on the Governing Councils of Federal Tertiary Institutions,” which relates specifically to external Council members representing federal ministries.
Anyaso argued that the reported attempted sack could not apply to internal Council members whose tenure had already expired. He stated that the right thing for the ex-internal Council members to do is to go back to their various constituencies — Senate, Congregation, and Convocation — and represent themselves, urging them to seek fresh mandates.
Some of the former internal Council members had written to dissociate themselves from what Anyaso described as the activities of some of their former colleagues. He also criticized the use of the word “pandemonium” in the online report, describing it as an “unprofessional attempt” by the publishers and their alleged sponsors to tarnish the image of the Pro-Chancellor.
The university warned that it “may be forced to publish evidence on certain issues and hold those who attempt to tarnish the image of the University and her officials accountable.” Anyaso urged media organisations to report responsibly and verify information before publication, particularly on issues capable of creating tension or misunderstanding within the university community.
The management of MOUAU emphasized that it is committed to transparency and will ensure that official information is made available to the public through official channels. The institution is yet to take further action regarding the report but has made it clear that it will not tolerate any attempt to mislead the public or tarnish its image.
Key points
- MOUAU management dismisses report alleging Pro-Chancellor attempted to sack ex-Council members as misleading and malicious.
- The tenure of the affected internal Council members expired on September 7, 2026, and the Pro-Chancellor has no power to extend or terminate their tenure.
- The university may publish evidence and hold accountable those who attempt to tarnish its image or that of its officials.
