COE Akwanga Governing Council Chair Kick As Union Passes ‘Vote Of No Confidence’ On His Leadership 

Staff of the Nasarawa State College of Education(COE), Akwanga have passed a vote of no confidence on the Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, Mr Ishaya A. Awotu for alleged threat to life and unguarded utterances amid face-off over his leadership style. 

The staff under the aegis of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions(NASU), COE Akwanga chapter made this known in a statement shortly after its emergency congress meeting held on Monday in Akwanga. 

This is coming barely few days after the union wrote to Governor Abdullahi Sule demanding for his replacement over alleged expiration of tenure. 

The union in the letter dated January 9th to Governor Sule had also alleged victimisation and witch-hunting of its members by the Governing Council chairman. This, Awotu, denied, describing the allegations as cheap blackmail. 

Reacting to the letter, Awotu through his lawyer issued a 4-day ultimatum for retraction and tendering of public apology to be published in at least two dailies by the Comrade Zawali Zamani-led union. 

Failure of the union to meet his demands, Awotu vow to take legal action over alleged defamation of character and disregard for due process. 

Deliberating on the matter on Monday, the union during an emergency congress meeting frowned at the content of the ultimatum and expressed concern that the Governing Council Chairman who represents Governor Sule could stoop so low to the “point of insulting, intimidating and threatening union leaders with legal action”. 

Awotu had allegedly ‘fell out’ with the union following his drive to block all leakages in the institution’s treasury and improve quality of education. 

Reacting to the union’s vote of no-confidence, Awotu, Awotu, a seasoned chartered accountant said he remained unperturbed and vowed to carry on with his repositioning drive as mandated by Governor Sule in order to take the state-owned institution to greater heights in academic excellence and prudent management of resources. 

He also vowed to pursue his legal action to logical conclusion, adding that he's committed to leaving the institution that as he met it in 2020 when he was inaugurated alongside others. 

Meanwhile, the umbrella body of all unions in the College had requested audience with the Chairman and Member of the Governing Council. 

In a letter dated January 12, they proposed Tuesday January 16 as the date for the audience. 

This, according to the letter was to discuss “vital issues bordering on the welfare and rights of our members”.