Crisis rocks MOUAU as pro-chancellor accused of personal vendetta against VC
A power struggle between Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Council Chairman, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe, is said to have paralyzed academic activities.
Edeh’s alleged vendetta against Iwe and his allies, including Dr Philips Nto, stems from Iwe’s role as returning officer in the 2023 Enugu governorship election, which Edeh’s preferred candidate, Chief Uche Nnaji, lost.
The fallout has led to:
– Cancellation of the December 13, 2025, convocation ceremony
– Blockage of staff recruitment and promotions
– Delayed appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor
– Probe of ICT company, Citinet Ltd.
Edeh’s actions have sparked outrage among students, staff, and parents, who accuse him of running the university like a “private estate”.
The Concerned and Aggrieved Parents of MOUAU have called on President Bola Tinubu and Education Minister Dr Alausa to intervene.
The group’s chairman, Hon Obinna Nwankwo, in a recent chat with journalists condemned Edeh’s actions, saying Abia State residents won’t allow their “illustrious sons” to be disgraced.
Said Hon. Nwankwo” We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Education, Dr Alausa to investigate the allegations against the council chairman.
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” Our group is also calling on Governor Hope Uzodimma to distance himself from Edeh, because the governor as a man of the people should not allow the council chairman to taint his reputation.
” I have wondered why the Council Chairman should decide to wage a war of vendetta against Prof Iwe and Dr Philips Nto just because they performed their statutory duties and refused to do his satanic bidding.
“The people of Abia State will never allow someone to disgrace their illustrious sons just because he holds the transient power of a council chairman of a university.”.
