Panic in UNN as Acting Vice Chancellor Risks Removal Over Alleged Attempt to Rig Upcoming Convocation Election

A storm of controversy has engulfed the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as alarming reports surface of an alleged plot to manipulate the upcoming convocation representative election. The acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Chigbu, is now at the center of a growing scandal, accused of conspiring with a powerful student leader, Emeka Udo, to rig the election results in Udo's favor and install him as the convocation representative, despite mounting concerns over transparency and fairness.

The election, which is set to choose a representative for the university’s governing council, had initially followed the usual process. On November 7, 2024, the acting vice chancellor convened a convocation meeting, disseminating guidelines for participation. Graduates were instructed to update their membership through the university’s official portal, pay a nominal fee of 200 Naira, and submit credentials for verification by the university's career department by November 19, 2024.

However, what began as a standard procedure soon took a sinister turn. Whispers of election manipulation quickly spread, centering on Emeka Udo—a former UNN student with significant influence over the university’s administration. Udo, though not a staff member of the university, is rumored to wield considerable power behind the scenes, with some sources suggesting he played a pivotal role in the appointment of key university administrators, including the Dean of Students’ Affairs. His alleged influence over Professor Chigbu has raised suspicions that the acting vice chancellor may be acting as a "puppet" to serve Udo's personal interests.

The situation escalated dramatically on November 21, 2024, when the UNN administration issued a controversial counter-memo, backdated to November 14, 2024. This memo nullified thousands of registration updates made through the official portal, undermining the efforts of many graduates who had already complied with the established guidelines. To make matters worse, the administration introduced a new online registration system, operated outside the university's official ICT department, accompanied by a new payment structure that sparked widespread concerns about security and transparency.

The timing of the memo's release—coinciding with Udo’s public announcement of his candidacy—has sent shockwaves through the UNN community, fueling suspicions that the changes were designed to favor Udo. The new registration website, created by an external company with no apparent connection to the university’s ICT department, has raised red flags. The absence of any measures to ensure voter verification or test the integrity of the platform has left many questioning the fairness of the process.

Sources claim that the company behind the new registration system has ties to Udo, further heightening fears of a rigged election. As a result, the university community has erupted in protest, demanding answers and a reversal of the questionable actions taken by the administration.

Alumni, faculty, and students have all expressed their outrage, with many fearing that these developments could irreparably damage the reputation of UNN and destabilize its academic environment. In an urgent plea, stakeholders are calling on the Pro-Chancellor of UNN and the Honourable Minister of Education to intervene before the situation spirals further out of control.

“This is a devilish plot to rig the election for one man’s selfish interest,” one concerned graduate remarked. “We cannot let this manipulation go unchecked. The integrity of UNN is at stake.”

The university has long been revered for its academic rigor and commitment to democratic processes. However, the introduction of an outside online election system with no accountability threatens to undermine these core values, creating a climate of distrust and unrest.

As the situation continues to unfold, the university finds itself at a critical crossroads. The allegations of election manipulation, coupled with the administration’s hasty actions—including the backdated memo and the questionable online platform—have cast a dark cloud over the institution’s future.

Now, more than ever, UNN needs decisive intervention from both the federal government and its governing council to preserve the integrity of the election process. Without swift and transparent action, the university’s hard-earned reputation could be irreparably tarnished, and the core values of fairness, transparency, and justice that it has long upheld may be lost. The time to act is now.