By Our correspondent
The convocation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) took an unexpected turn yesterday as Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, failed to show up to receive an honorary doctoral degree.
His absence has sparked speculation that it may be connected to the ongoing controversy surrounding the vice-chancellorship of the university.
Sources close to the university revealed that there have been intense lobbyings and politicking over the succession of the University’s Vice-Chancellor, with some stakeholders allegedly trying to impose their preferred candidate .
A source disclosed that the choice of Seyi Tinubu for the doctoral degree was intended to secure the blessing of the President’s family for the sitting acting Vice Chancellor in the substantive VC race.
When contacted, the university’s management declined to comment on the reason behind Seyi Tinubu’s absence, stating that the convocation ceremony went on smoothly despite his absence.
Our reporter on the scene observed that the convocation ceremony was poorly attended, with several dignitaries who had been listed as expected guests failing to appear, leaving the event largely focused on conferring degrees on graduating students.
Seyi Tinubu’s absence has dominated discussions among stakeholders, with many wondering what prompted his decision to shun the event.
This development comes on the heels of a recent leadership crisis that saw the sacking of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Benard Odoh, and the dissolution of the Pro-Chancellor, Chief Greg Mbadiwe-led governing council.
The leadership crisis at the university took a turn for the worse at some point when two rival claimants emerged for the Vice Chancellor position.
ProfJoseph Ikechebelu was initially serving as Acting Vice Chancellor until the Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe-led governing council abruptly sacked him and appointed Professor Carol Arinze Umobi as the new Acting Vice Chancellor.
However, following the controversial circumstances surrounding the removal of the former Vice Chancellor, Odoh, the Ministry of Education intervened and reinstated Ikechebelu as the Acting Vice Chancellor.
