Noble Eyisi, President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, has been impeached. He is accusing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Joseph Ahaneku, of instigating his removal, following his letter to the management on “students’ welfare”. OKECHUKWU NNODUM reports.
WAS Noble Eyisi impeached as president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Akwa, the Anambra State capital, because of his differences with the Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Joseph Ahaneku? Was he removed because he sold out? These are some of the posers thrown up by Noble’s controversial removal.
Noble and his loyalistis are alleging that the VC instigated his removal. But members of the Students Representatives’ Council (SRC) are saying that there is no truth in their allegation.
Noble, a few days ago, wrote Prof Ahaneku, demanding to know the amount that has accrued to the union from students’ dues. He said he wrote to demand answers to “pertinent questions bordering on the students’ welfare”. But, his colleagues in SRC said the letter is in bad taste.
The May 4 letter sought answers to issues on finances and alleged exploitation of students. It alleged that the SUG had yet to access its account to know how much it got from levies.
It demanded to know why the fee paid by applicants for the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was increased from N1,000 to N2,000. The letter demanded the reason freshers were asked to pay N7,500 for biometric capturing, alleging that N45 million was generated from the exercise. Over 6,000 students admitted for the 2014/2015 academic session paid.
In response, the VC summoned the union members to a meeting, where he accused Noble of being impolite. He also denied all allegations. After the meeting, Noble was allegedly maltreated by the school security men, who seized his phone.
In the heat of the controversy, SRC Speaker Nzube Nnamani convened a meeting last Friday where Noble was impeached for gross misconduct, unsound mind and embezzlement.
In a statement, chairman of Committee on Media, Freedom Chimereze, said Noble’s impeachment was a decision taken by “over two-third” members at a sitting held on May 22.
Freedom said: “Noble was found to be of unsound mind and has been impeached for gross misconduct, incompetence, embezzlement, impersonation of the SRC Speaker. He has been told to return all the union’s properties in his possession within seven days as stipulated by the constitution. The Vice President, Precious Ozems, has been asked to assume office as the Acting President.”
But Noble described his impeachment as unfortunate, alleging victimisation by the management. Although he said there was disagreement among the union members before his letter, he said the authorities fueled the crisis.
He said: “My impeachment was instigated by the management. Normally, the process of removal of elected union officers takes time but in my own case, it was hurried up. I would not say much as I am watching the unfolding events. Anytime, any day, I will always stand on the side of students.”
On what caused the union’s crisis, Noble said it was his decision to remove Transport Task Fund, a levy paid by transporters on the campus. He said the union executive kicked against it, but he took the decision in students’ interest.
The impeachment jolted students, some of who took to social media to discuss it. A former SRC member, Ifeanyi Eze, faulted the impeachment, saying the SRC members were misguided in removing the president.
Ifeanyi said: “Noble is the best president that has led the SUG. None of his predecessors is as outspoken, bold and student-oriented as him. Unfortunately, our so-called representatives and executive members colluded to remove him. Their decision is myopic.”
Emeka Eze, a student, said the SRC members and not Noble are incompetent and of unsound mind. “Noble is a president whose love for the students is incontestable. He reduced transport fare and saved students from being swindled of N7.5 million by members of the union and transporters. It is unfortunate that people who claimed to represent us have allowed sentiments to becloud their sense of judgment,” he said.
A close friend of the ousted president, who pleaded not to be named, said the worst has befallen UNIZIK.
He said: “It is a shame to the members of the SRC for fighting the person, who protects and champions good cause for all students. Noble, on assumption of duties, sacrificed the money accruable to him from the transport fund for the overall benefit of students. On several occasions, he conveyed students in his official bus to their destinations whenever there was transportation challenge.
“For the first time, Noble brought all campuses of the school under one umbrella. Before his impeachment, Noble moved for the reduction of food prices from N200 to N150 within the campuses and this was greeted by opposition from his traducers. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was his recent letter to the Vice-Chancellor, which was made open after the response he got from the management was not satisfactory.”
But, a member of the executive, said a vote of no confidence was passed on Noble because he sidelined his colleagues. He said Noble preferred to consult his personal aides, rather than elected executive members, before taking decisions.
Philips Ferguson, a final year student, faulted Noble’s removal, saying the ousted president should have been encouraged for his good intentions. He said: “Noble Eyisi may be wrong in his approach to certain issues but nobody can fault his intentions. Reducing the price of transport and food is good. Questioning the university authority on the union finances is also good because it is the responsibility of leaders to ask question if there is anything unclear to them. But what I fault is his approach. The impeachment was orchestrated by selfish members of the union.”
The Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, dismissed the allegation that the VC instigated the impeachment. Rather, he said the embattled president approached the management to prevail on his colleagues not to impeach him.
He said: “Let it be made clear that the management has not, in anyway, harassed any student for holding a particular opinion. Despite his stance Noble is still occupying his room in the hostel. Neither the impeached SUG president nor any his friends are being harassed as being speculated.
“The University is aware that Noble Eyisi had a misunderstanding with his colleagues in the union for several weeks. He pleaded with the management to save him from impeachment already served on him by the SRC and he was clearly told to go back and mend fences with his colleagues as the university authorities did not want to be seen to be interfering in students’ union affairs.”
