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A fierce controversy erupted today at Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, as a prominent Benue citizen and public commentator, Emmanuel Adi, issued a scathing formal condemnation of the ongoing Vice Chancellor appointment process. In a detailed statement circulated widely on social media and dated November 3, 2025, Adi accused the Benue State Governor’s office and its press machinery of subverting due process, shielding alleged nepotism, and undermining the university’s governance integrity.
At the heart of the dispute is the selection of a new Vice Chancellor for the faith-based institution, where Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia serves as Visitor. Adi claims credible rumors indicate that a relative of the Governor has been pre-selected for the role, bypassing merit-based, transparent procedures mandated by university statutes, national regulatory frameworks, and public service rules. He described the move as “an egregious act of nepotism” that threatens the academic credibility of the university.
The statement takes direct aim at yesterday’s press release by Sir Tersoo Kula, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, which urged the public to disregard rumors of a completed appointment and affirmed that the process remains ongoing under an Acting VC. Adi dismissed Kula’s intervention as “perfunctory, obfuscatory, and unauthorized,” arguing that the Press Secretary holds no legitimate role in university governance and that the statement was a deliberate attempt to manipulate public perception and deflect scrutiny.
Adi outlined a disturbing pattern of administrative misconduct, including deliberate non-adherence to due process, brazen nepotism, and improper external communication. He insisted that any legitimate VC appointment must follow a statutorily-mandated sequence: formation of a Search/Selection Committee comprising University Council members, Senate representatives, and independent experts; public advertisement of the vacancy; transparent shortlisting, interviews, and evaluations based on pre-published criteria; and a reasoned recommendation submitted to the Visitor for final approval.
Citing Nigeria’s Public Service Rules (2021), National Universities Commission (NUC) Guidelines on University Governance (2018), and the university’s own statutes, Adi warned that deviations from these frameworks violate principles of fairness, merit, and transparency enshrined in law.
In a five-point demand, Adi called for the immediate suspension of any irregular appointment actions, full publication of the selection criteria and committee membership, official retraction of the Press Secretary’s statement, and strict adherence to statutory mechanisms to restore public confidence. He cautioned that failure to act risks plunging the university into a crisis of legitimacy, with lasting damage to its reputation and stakeholder trust.
Signed as “A concerned Benue son” and copied to the Governor’s Office, University Council, NUC, and relevant oversight agencies, the statement has ignited intense debate within academic circles and beyond. It urges all stakeholders—students, faculty, alumni, and the public—to rally against what Adi frames as an assault on institutional autonomy and meritocracy.
As tensions rise, Moses Orshio Adasu University finds itself at a critical juncture. The coming days will reveal whether the administration heeds calls for transparency or doubles down on a process now under a darkening cloud of suspicion. For now, the battle for the soul of leadership at one of Benue’s key tertiary institutions has moved from whispers in corridors to open confrontation in the public square.
