- says his appointment can breed divisive tendencies
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State has called on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to, in the spirit of fairness and equity, immediately review the appointment of Prof. Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi (SAN) as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.
The party in a statement by its State Chairman, Hon. (Engr.) Kola Shittu, noted that the Governor was ill-advised on the choice of Prof. Akanbi, whom it said, was from the same senatorial district as the pioneer and immediate past Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’allah, who was in office for 10 years.
“We wish to note that the recent appointment of Prof. Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi (SAN) as the Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Malete, is lopsided and this shows Governor Abdulrazaq’s lack of regard and insensitivity to the State’s diversity and unity. And this is capable of breeding divisive tendencies in our State.
“This is so, considering the fact that Prof. Akanbi is from the same town and senatorial district as the pioneer and immediate past VC of the university, Prof. Na’allah who spent two terms of 10 years in office.
“KWASU as a state institution should reflect the diversity and even representation of the people of the state. This is why we hold that Governor Abdulrazaq was wrongly advised on the choice of Prof. Mohammad Akanbi.
“In the spirit of fairness and equity, one would have expected that a competent academic from either Kwara North or South senatorial districts would have been considered for such position. One would also wonder why Prof. Saka Mahmud, from Kwara North who has been in acting capacity for the past few months was not retained.
The Kwara PDP therefore, joins other wellmeaning patriotic individuals and groups particularly from Kwara North to demand that Governor Abdulrazaq should as a matter of necessity, review the appointment of Prof. Akanbi on the altar of fairness and equity, and to further strengthen the bond of unity and togetherness in the State, so that no senatorial district will feel marginalised.
“No doubt, Prof Muhammad Mustapha Akanbi qualifies and merits the appointment, but our position is that no tribe or district should be given undue preference over the other. Akanbi could be considered for another appointment where he would bring to bear his numerous experiences for the development of our dear State.
“Appointing him as the Vice Chancellor of KWASU at this present moment, demonstrates Mr Governor’s total disregard and insensitivity to the diversity and unity of the State. It is also an affront on competent erudite academics from the other two senatorial districts of the State.”
