By Chinelo Obogo
Senator Tokunbo Abiru representing Lagos East at the National Assembly, has denied involvement in cancellation of the selection process for the position of the Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU).
In a statement, he also denied allegations that he advised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to screen out anyone from Ikorodu division contesting for the vice chancellorship position of the university on the grounds that Ikorodu Division is only interested in the governorship seat and not the VC position.
He said the allegations do not represent the truth as he neither prevailed on the Governor to cancel the process first initiated by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Committee to select LASU’s next VC nor ever influenced him to zone the position out of Ikorodu Division for any reason.
“My attention has been drawn to a viral video on the decision of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to cancel the process that the Governing Council of Lagos State University (LASU) initiated in synergy with the LASU Senate to select the next Vice Chancellor of the university.
“In a 10-minute video published on instagram by one Abisoye Oshodi, he wrongfully alleged that I prevailed on the governor to cancel the first selection process of the next LASU VC. He also alleged that I told the governor to screen out indigenes of Ikorodu division contesting for the vice chancellorship position of the university. He claimed that I gave this advice on the ground that Ikorodu Division was only interested in the governorship seat and not the VC position.
“All these claims are nothing but mere figments of Mr. Oshodi’s imagination. They do not in any way represent the truth. I neither prevailed on the governor to cancel the process first initiated by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Committee to select LASU’s next VC nor ever influenced him to zone the position out of Ikorodu Division for any reason. As a matter of fact, I did not play any role in the whole process.
“For the purpose of record, I worked in public and private sectors for 32 years before I joined partisan politics. For this period, I was a promoter of good corporate governance hinged on competence, due process and transparency. Even though I am now in partisan politics, I still believe these values should be at the core of operations in all public or private institutions.
“Coming from this background, I strongly believe the appointment of LASU VC, like other tertiary institutions nationwide, should be based on competence and due process. This is the position I have always held, especially in this era when we consciously look forward to our universities to lead the path to sustainable development in all facets of life,” Abiru said.