Reactions are beginning to trail the increasing wave of sack the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has been carrying out since the conclusion of the 2015 general elections, despite the fact that his administration due date is almost here, the Punch reports.
One of such angry reactions came from elder statesman and former gover of the Western Region, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo. The 87-year-old war veteran is not happy with the way he was removed as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, UI less than two years into his four years tenure.
Reacting to his sack in a letter dated 7th of May to President Jonathan, Gen. Adebayo fingered the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau in the “discourteous” and “disrespectful” way he was treated, advising the President to imbibe the culture of respecting elders in addition to demonstrating civility in his public conduct if given the chance to rule the country again or to be in any leadership role.
Gen. Adebayo also faulted Jonathan for not having the courage to inform him of his removal considering how he was prevailed upon to accept the appointment, adding that he got wind of his removal through the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the institution.
The letter reads: “I am constrained to express my most profound dismay at the rather unceremonious manner I came to be informed of my removal as chairman of the governing council of the University of Ibadan. Indeed it was communicated to me by the vice chancellor and registrar, when they visited me at my residence in Lagos.
“I was informed that the Hon. Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau had caused an advertorial to be published in The Guardian Newspaper of Thursday, the 30th of April, announcing the appointment of members of the governing council of twelve (12) new federal universities and four (4) new federal polytechnics, as well as the chairmanship change for the University of Ibadan.
“In effect, through that publication, I had been relieved of my duties as Pro Chancellor and another person had been appointed in my stead without the courtesy of even a phone call.
“At the risk of sounding immodest, I must say that I do not deserve such indecorous treatment from your Minister of Education, who I believe must have acted with a measure of approval from you or your office.
“However, as an elder and given the fact that you and some of my children are age mates, I feel an obligation to admonish you to be courteous in your approach to governance.
“True your time in office is short, but who knows, providence may yet again smile on you, and you might once again mount the saddle of leadership. Whenever this happens and even if it never does, my prayer for you is that you imbibe the culture of civility in your future endeavours.
“This abrupt termination of my tenure, while being seen as a welcome respite by my children and grandchildren, is all the same quite demeaning of my person.”
It will be recalled that Shekarau had last month announced the appointments of members of the governing council of 12 new federal universities and four new federal polytechnics, as well as the chairmanship change for the University of Ibadan.
President Jonathan has also sacked the former Inspector General of Police, Suileman Abba, Director General, National Sports Commission, NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye, Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Dr. Femi Thomas – Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi and Executive Secretary, Petroleum Equalisation Fund, PEF, Mrs Sharon Kasali.
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