Comrade Usman Okai Austin has criticised recent appointments made by Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Okai accused the governor of ethnic bias.
The social critic argued that with an Ebira as current Vice Chancellor of Kogi State University, Anyigba and the recent appointment of an Okun man as Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, it would have been wise if Governor Bello had appointed the Vice Chancellor for the new Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) from the Igala dominated Kogi East senatorial district.
He stated that it would not have been out of place for the Governor to handpick one out of the twelve Igala Professors that vied for the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, as pioneer VC CUSTECH. This, he said, will a sense of belonging and balance to the state.
He berated the Governor for appointing his kinsman as VC of the new state university when the VC of the other state-owned university is also an Ebira.
According to Comrade Okai, the decision to make Ebiras heads of the two universities owned by the state is irrational.
“The best decision in a multi ethnic society like Kogi state is to allow the majority tribe preside over one of the State Universities or any other tribe in the state.
“The people of the State are not unaware of recent appointments, both at the State and Federal levels, that favour only the Ebiras, leaving the Igala race relegated and grossly marginalised. This action is capable of creating ethnic disharmony.
“We are aware of several complaints from the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies where senior officers from Igala and Bassa are being relegated, demoted and replaced by their junior colleagues from Ebira land,” he said.
Okai warned Governor Bello of the consequences of setting bad precedence in the state.
While congratulating and wishing the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja a successful tenure, Comrade Okai berated the role Governor Bello allegedly played in the disqualification of the 12 Igala Professors during the selection process.
