A group of professionals in the education sector in Edo State has asked the governor of Edo State Monday Okpebholo to urgently appoint a new acting Vice Chancellor for the Edo State University Uzairue to replace the embattled Prof Dawood Egbefo.

The Edo Forum for Educational Standards and Advancement in a statement Friday and signed by its Chairman Moses Omagbon and Secretary Zuberu Alemoh explained that the current Vice Chancellor whose brief tenure has been marred by allegations of serious infractions and violations of extant University laws comes to an end on the 1st of December, 2024. It also alleged that by the civil service rule, his tenure cannot exceed six months especially when the process for the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor is ongoing.

According to the group, Prof Egbefo was appointed acting Vice Chancellor by the University Governing Council for a six months duration from June 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024 because the council had begun the process of electing a new Vice Chancellor for the University. They noted that his performance in Office has left all well-meaning stakeholders within and outside the University bewildered.

In the release, the group stated that “few days to the end of his acting Vice Chancellorship, Prof Egbefo was suspended on November 4th, 2024, by the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Prof. Emeritus T.O.K. Audu, following grave allegations of corruption, contract splitting, siphoning of university funds, non-compliance with due process, and gross incompetence.

“The Edo Forum for Educational Standards and Advancement notes that the attempt by some members of the dissolved council, led by Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, to reinstate Professor Egbefo has further worsened the leadership crisis in the young university as their action contradicts the provisions of Section 11(9) and (10) of the University Law, which govern the procedures for suspensions and reappointments.

“The university’s governing laws emphasize that there cannot be a vacancy in the office of the Vice-Chancellor, which means that someone must be appointed in an acting capacity to oversee the University until a substantive Vice-Chancellor is confirmed. With Prof. Egbefo’s six-month tenure set to expire, the University faces a critical leadership vacuum, and it is now imperative for the governor to act swiftly in appointing a new acting head of the institution.

“With the University’s leadership already embroiled in a severe succession crisis, we warn that any failure to act decisively on December 1 could damage the institution’s reputation further. The University’s integrity has been compromised under the previous leadership of Prof. Egbefo and the suspended Registrar, Mr. Habib Ekhalefo.

“As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the Governor Okpebholo to ensure that the University’s leadership is stabilized and that a competent acting Vice-Chancellor is appointed without delay to safeguard the future of the institution.”

The group therefore insist that:
The governor should not re-appoint or renew the tenure of Professor Egbefo as he has been previously suspended by the council on matters bothering on corruption, constrict splitting incompetence and abuse of office.
That Professor Egbefo was duly suspended and remains suspended by the former council of the University, in compliance of the laws establishing the University as amended.
That the purported re-instatement of Profesor Egbefo by some members of the dissolved council, let by Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru is null and void as it negates Section 11(9) and (10) of the University Law.
That the governor needs to act by appointing someone to oversee the University on the 1st of December to save the integrity of the university which has been enmeshed in serious succession crisis and misrule by Professor Egbefoh and the suspended registrar, Mr. Habib Ekhalefo.