Wike Accuses Uniport Lecturers, VCs Of Rigging Elections For Politicians

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has charged the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Stephen Okodudu, to restore the institution back to the path of academic excellence.

Wike said the institution, which used to be one of the best in academics and character moulding in the country, has been hijacked by politicians and turned into a rigging machine.

He stated this when a delegation of the management of the institution led by Okodudu visited him at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor expressed regret that the institution has become a place where lecturers align with politicians and manipulate the electoral process.

He said : “I must tell you the truth. Politics has penetrated the institution heavily. The position of a Vice Chancellor used to be based on merit.

“But the consideration now is different. Every Vice Chancellor wants to align to a politician or is appointed because of such affiliation. In turn, he recruits willing lecturers who will be used to manipulate the electoral process.

“Such trend is destroying the University system. It distracts from the core business of teaching. After manipulating the outcome of an election, you will turn around to say leaders are not doing anything.

“You make it possible for bad leaders to emerge and you bemoan their inefficiency in office. How can you exonerate yourselves from such leadership?

He said his administration has awarded contract for the construction of a new convocation arena for the university and funds would soon be released.

He charged the new management to restore “the glory of the school.”

In his remark, the Acting Vice Chancellor said he was appointed to serve for six months, adding that Governor has been supportive of the university.