By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

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In what appeared to be a renewed hostility over the recent appointment of a new Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, in Osun State, some hoodlums have invaded the campus with charms, fetish objects among other dangerous items.

It will be recalled that protest greeted the appointment of Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, the 12th substantive Vice Chancellor of the university.

Shortly after his announcement, some indigenes of Ile-Ife invaded the campus in protest that a non indigene was appointed as VC against their wish,  insisting that the position should be occupied by an indigene of the town.

The Hope learnt that some indigenes of Ile – Ife forcefully invaded the campus of the University with charms and other fetish objects, having closed its two major gates thereby preventing staff, students, and other stakeholders from either coming  in or leaving the school.

According to reports, protests by Ife indigenes started last Thursday,  March 17, 2022 shortly after the University Governing Council, led by its Chairman, Owelle Oscar Udoji, announced a professor of Agricultural Economics, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor.

The protesters allegedly blocked the main gate of the University on the first day and threatened staff and students to stay away from campus.

The situation degenerated into violence on the second day as they beat up workers, particularly the staff of the security unit, and vandalized their office at the main gate. Some of the security staff had to be taken to the University’s health centre for treatment.

The renewed hostility took dangerous dimensions on Monday as the indigenes beat up some OAU students who they met at the gate, having blocked the two major gates leading to the campus at 6: 00 am.

The suspected indigenes of Ile-Ife according to an eyewitness came into the campus with charms, and other fetish items. They assembled at the motion ground of the University Secretariat, dressed in all-white spiritual traditional attire, chanting incantations while performing rituals.

Contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju confirmed the development saying security men have been alerted.

Given reasons on how the new VC Mr Bamire emerged , he said that the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board shortlisted sixteen (16) candidates for the interaction for the post of Vice-Chancellor and candidates whose names were arranged in alphabetical order were called in for interaction and each was scored by each member of the selection board.

He stated that the score sheets of each assessor for individual candidates were dropped into an envelope and sealed, with the signature of the chairman of council on each one.

“At the end of the interaction, the sealed envelopes were opened one after the other and announced to all the members. The score sheets were thereafter passed around for sighting and confirmation.

The scores of the candidates were collated with Microsoft Excel and ranked from the highest to the lowest. The candidate with the highest score was eventually announced as the Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no member of the Board had foreknowledge of each candidate’s score before the final collation at the end of the interaction.”

According to him the University selection exercise followed due processes and merit was the basis for the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor.

He, however, said, management of the institution has implored the leadership of Ile- Ife to call the protesters  to order so that the cordial relationship which has been in existence between the University and the Ile- Ife communities will not be jorpadised.