The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, says only compromised academics who are willing to submit names of politically exposed lecturers as returning officers to rig elections for the ruling party, are being appointed as Vice Chancellors of federal universities.
Wike, who warned vice chancellors and lecturers to be wary of attempts by some unscrupulous politicians to use them to manipulate elections, declared that those contemplating to rig elections in Rivers State will be treated as coup plotters.
He stated this during the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of 9,200-capacity ultra-modern convocation arena of the University of Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Government, yesterday.
Wike said it was worrisome that Nigeria has degenerated to the point where politicians now influence who becomes vice chancellor of a Federal Government-owned university for the purpose of rigging elections.
“Let me warn, not one person will dare to rig election in Rivers State. Not one person will dare it. I have told people, allow university community to produce those who will be leaders of this country. Don’t turn university community to be where you will have politicians who manipulate and change the mandate of the people. Anybody who does that, you know it is a coup and you know the punishment for coup plotters.”
The governor stressed that the reason why there is so much tussle these days on who becomes vice chancellor of federal universities, is because of political interference by extraneous forces.
He described as heartrending a situation whereby lecturers who are supposed to revered in society, wilfully compromise their integrity, just to become vice chancellor, who will afterwards be used to manipulate elections.
“These days, you see a lecturer, a PhD holder, a professor ready to soil his name, to allow himself to be kidnapped and taken somewhere to sign result and to declare somebody who did not win election winner.”
The governor enjoined desperate politicians in the ruling party not to dent the integrity of the university system because of their inordinate ambition.
Wike warned that any vice chancellor that allows himself to be used to rig election in Rivers State, should be prepared for the consequences of such hideous act.
“If you want to play politics with us, I will rub you mud. If you want to join us (politicians), openly come and join us. But if you want to hide under the university.”
The governor declared that 2023 general election will be completely different from the 2019 election which was manipulated by the ruling party, and insisted that attempts to prevent transmission to election results electronically will be resisted.
“INEC knows that they have to be prepared in 2023. And that is why we will resist any attempt for anybody to manipulate the amendment of the Electoral Act, to say that election results will not be transmitted electronically. That will not happen. If you want the vote of the people to count, the result must be transmitted electronically.”
Wike stated that as an alumnus of the University of Port Harcourt, his business is not to play politics in the university, but to see how he can contribute to the development of the institution.
He promised to complete a primary school building in the university that was abandoned by the previous administration for inexplicable reason.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof Stephen Okodudu, commended Wike for consistently identifying with the ideals and aspiration of the university.
“You have continued to support the successive administrations of the university through donation of funds and provision of social infrastructure to give meaning to the lives of staff and students. I recall with nostalgia, that Your Excellency attracted then construction of the Faculties of Law and Social Sciences buildings while serving as the Hon. Minister of State for Education.”
The Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Senator Andrew Uchendu, applauded Wike for laying the foundation for what will be the best, iconic convocation arena in West Africa.
Performing the inauguration of the new convocation arena, immediate past Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ndowa Lale said Wike decision to construct the new convocation arena was a further demonstration that he has a heart to add value to the institution.
He declared that history will be kind to Wike because he has deliberately worked conscientiously for public good.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, George Kelly Alabo, had said 9,200-capacity convocation arena was going to have convertible compartments, offices, assembly hall, 750kva transformer, and would be completed in 14 months.
He further added, “This structure will not only be aesthetically pleasing, it will also be structurally sound.”