Date: 2013-07-24

As more controversies trail the ongoing strike by ASUU, members of the Ilorin zone of the union have disowned another university lecturer, who is also a contentious chairman of its University of Ilorin chapter, Professor Abdulwahab Egbewole, declaring that he is not in a position to speak for the union.

But Professor Egbewole, who reacted swiftly in a telephone interview, has challenged the chairmen of ASUU in other universities in the zone, pointing out that they were taking part in an illegal industrial action.

They further alleged that the professor, who they said had been axed from the union and whose 'election' had been declared null and void by a competent court of law, had been making statements inimical to the success of the ongoing strike embarked upon by members of the union.

ASUU made this disclaimer in a statement dated 16 July, entitled; "Of Impostors and Outlaws at the University Of Ilorin: ASUU's Statement on the comments by one professor Wahab Egbewole on the Industrial Action of the Union," but circulated to journalists on Tuesday.

Signed by Dr Ayan Ayanleke of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Professor Akinola A. P. of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr Seye Abiona of the Osun State University, Osogbo, Dr. Alex Odiyi of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Dr. Oyegoke O. O. of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Dr. Busuyi Mekusi of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, all chairmen of the various chapters, the statement said the claim by Professor Egbewole that he was not part of the strike because he was not contacted by the national organ of ASUU was an insult.

"In the past few weeks, the press had been inundated by statements made by one Professor Abdulwahab Egbewole of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, purportedly on behalf of Unilorin ASUU. The statements expressed Professor Egbewole's opposition to the current national industrial action of the union.

"To add insult to injury, Professor Egbewole also said that he was not part of the ongoing strike action partly because he was not consulted by national office of ASUU. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) wishes to state for the umpteenth time that Professor Egbewole is an impostor who is not known and has never been known as an officer of the union. He has been expelled from the union as far back as 2002 (see the advert in The Punch of December 23, 2004, page 9).

"More seriously, the National Industrial Court has, on Febuary 23, 2013 through Honourable Justice O. A. Obaseki-Osaghae, declared the kangaroo 'election' of Professor Egbewole and others as illegal.

"Egbewole's continued statements and actions purportedly in the name of ASUU, therefore, constitute a slap in the face of the judicial system of this country," the statement read.