Governing Council Exonerates Umahi Over Alleged Administrative Interference in DUFUHS
Onyeka Nnabu
Members of the governing council of the David Umahi Federal University Health Sciences(DUFUHS) Ebonyi State, have exonerated the Minister of Works and Founder of the institution, Senator David Umahi from the alleged hijack in the administrative running of the University.
The members who held a meeting in the university, were reacting to an online media outlet that the founder of the university and Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi has hijacked them and now running the university like personal enterprise.
Addressing journalists at the university premises on Wednesday after the Council’s meeting over the allegation, the Pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Dr. Adebayo Shittu, said he was surprised when a USA based journalist called him that he (Shittu) has been sidelined by the Works Minister.
Shittu declared that no one can hijack or sideline him in the university, and noted that the allegation was baseless and unfounded.
According to him: “I was surprised two days ago when I got a call from a supposed journalist from the USA giving me information that they learnt that I have been sidelined purportedly by the current Minister of Works, David Umahi”.
“I told them that I have no complaint against anybody. And that nobody has sidelined me and nobody could have sidelined me as an experienced politician. I have been in politics for 47 years”.
“So it’s not possible for anybody to sideline me. And I don’t have any complaint. We work as brothers and sisters here”.
“So any information you get that is negative, you know that it is a hatchet job by criminals who are frustrated, who have objectives which are not noble, and who want to destabilize the university.
“On behalf of the Governing Council, I can assure you that we don’t have any problem. We are happy, we are satisfied.
“Everything is going on fine. And it is our objective that we will continue to pursue the best interest of the university for the benefit of the entire country. We are welcoming students from all parts of this country because this is a federal university”.
“We do not have any problem of instability. The Governing Council made up of distinguished Nigerians from all over the country are here with us. We have very fantastic synergy between the Governing Council and the management of the university”.
A member of the governing council, Saliu Aluko and a representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, Paul Ope also described the allegations as very malicious, slanderous and unreasonable for saying that the members of the governing council are being cowed.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Jesse Uneke said the governing council is supervising the institution contrary to the allegations.
“If you look at the infrastructures here, you know that the council is supervising these structures very, very well.
“All the constructions going on in this university, the council oversees how they are being built and managed. And you know that it’s clear evidence that the council is really working.
“The university is very stable. We don’t have any issues academically, administratively. And that also attests to the fact that the council is doing its work very, very well”, Uneke said.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MARCH 25TH 2026)



