The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance (CCSOGG) has condemned the purported extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), describing the development as illegal, unacceptable and a threat to institutional governance and the rule of law.
The Coalition, in a strongly worded statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Declan Ihekiare, and Secretary General, Olalekan Johnson, said it received with “profound concern and growing indignation” the announcement reportedly made by the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, concerning the extension of the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure.
According to the group, any attempt to extend the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor outside the provisions of the law establishing the University and other applicable regulations governing university administration in Nigeria must be resisted.
The Coalition maintained that UNIOSUN, as a public institution established by law, could not be administered according to personal preferences or political considerations.
“UNIOSUN is not a private estate, political secretariat or an institution to be administered according to the personal preferences of any individual, no matter how highly placed,” the Coalition said.
“It is a respected public institution established by law and governed by clearly defined statutes, regulations and procedures. The tenure and appointment of its principal officers cannot simply be altered through a verbal proclamation.”
CCSOGG further argued that executive authority must operate within the boundaries of the law, stressing that political power does not confer absolute authority.
The group noted that the Nigerian university system operates within established legal and institutional frameworks, including standards applicable to university administration under the supervision of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
It warned against actions capable of undermining institutional standards, autonomy and the integrity of universities.
The Coalition also cautioned Governor Adeleke against allegedly turning the institution into a platform for political patronage, compensation or the settlement of political interests.
According to the civil society group, the future of thousands of students, the careers of academics and administrators, as well as the reputation of the institution, were too important to be subjected to political convenience.
The organisation said it was particularly disturbed that the Adeleke administration, which it claimed had enjoyed considerable goodwill and support from civil society organisations, could be associated with an action it considered inconsistent with transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
The Coalition, however, clarified that its criticism should not be interpreted as hostility towards the Osun State Government.
It said it had remained one of the consistent supporters of the Adeleke administration, having defended the government against perceived injustices and supported policies and actions considered beneficial to the people of the state.
“Our support for any government has never been and will never become a licence to endorse illegality,” the group declared.
“We support good governance, not personalities. We defend democracy, not impunity. And where an administration we have supported takes a wrong step, we have a responsibility to speak truth to power and demand correction.”
CCSOGG consequently called on Governor Adeleke to immediately reverse any decision extending the tenure of the UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor outside the provisions of the law.
It urged the Governor to allow the University to operate strictly in accordance with its establishment law and all applicable regulations governing Nigerian universities.
The Coalition also issued a warning to the Osun State House of Assembly against what it described as any attempt to hurriedly amend the University’s establishment law in order to retrospectively justify an alleged illegal decision.
“The law must not be manipulated to cover illegality,” the group stated.
It threatened to commence mass civic action, including the picketing of the Osun State House of Assembly and the Osun State University, should there be any attempt to amend the law for the purpose of legitimising what it described as an unlawful tenure extension.
The Coalition said it was prepared to mobilise civil society organisations, students, concerned citizens, academics and other defenders of democratic values to protect the integrity of UNIOSUN and the Nigerian university system.
It also called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), other academic and non-academic staff unions, alumni associations, students and other stakeholders in the university system to rise in defence of established laws and institutional procedures.
“Silence in the face of illegality is complicity,” the group declared.
According to CCSOGG, the controversy goes beyond the individual occupying the office of Vice-Chancellor, insisting that the matter concerns the broader future of institutional governance in Nigeria.
The Coalition warned that allowing the tenure of a Vice-Chancellor to be altered outside established legal procedures could create a dangerous precedent for arbitrary political interference in the administration of universities.
It maintained that Osun State should continue to uphold the principles of democracy, constitutionalism, institutional integrity and good governance.
The group stressed that democracy could not thrive where laws were selectively observed or institutions subjected to arbitrary decisions.
CCSOGG therefore vowed to deploy every legitimate democratic and civic instrument available to ensure that any tenure extension it considers illegal does not stand.
“This is not a threat against any individual. It is a principled defence of the rule of law,” the Coalition stated.
“UNIOSUN belongs to the people of Osun State, not to politicians. The law must prevail. Institutional integrity must be protected. Political patronage must not replace due process.”
The Coalition concluded with a call for adherence to the rule of law, declaring: “Enough of illegality. Enough of arbitrary governance. Let the rule of law prevail.”