There have been mixed reactions trailing the ‘Step Aside’ order made by Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde as contained in a release dated 16th April, 2021 which directed the embattled Vice-Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Professor Olufisayo Ologunde, to vacate office with immediate effect.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye made this disclosure to journalists on Monday in his office, stating that the letter only directed the former VC to step aside but not sacked.
Olaleye, explained that the purpose for not disclosing government’s reasons for the ‘Step Aside’ directive in the press release was deliberate, adding that the embattled Vice-Chancellor has all the detailed reasons of the government in the letter addressed to him.
The Commissioner for Education who refused to disclose or give a hint on government’s reasons for the directive, explained that the Governor Makinde’s decision was not a vendetta as being speculated in some quarters, insisting that the embattled VC has not been sacked but only directed to step aside.
He noted that the institution’s Governing Council will carry out investigations into the allegations levelled against the embattled VC as contained in the letter addressed to him, adding that necessary actions shall follow in line with provisions of the establishment laws of the institution.
“The Governor only directed the embattled VC to step aside, he was not sacked, our reason for not disclosing details of the allegations in our press release was delibrate.
“We can not say because the Governing Council is yet to resume then we will look the other way and allow the institution suffer, that was why he was directed to step aside pending investigations into allegations levelled against him, and in due time the Governing Council will act based on revelations from their investigations.
“We are not unmindful of the establishment laws of the institution and we have not acted outside of our powers as government, so it is not a vendetta against the former VC,” Olaleye said.
In his reaction, the embattled VC, Professor Ologunde, directed journalists who contacted him for comments to the institution’s Public Relation Officer (PRO) but admitted that he has accepted the Governor’s decision in good faith.