Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s cancellation of recent recruitment concluded by his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, into Rivers state-owned Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt, has thrown over 1700 affected staff in disarray.

According to VANGUARD, this has stirred reactions from stakeholders in the state.

The governors decision was announced in a statement by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, citing irregularities and disobedience to directives by management of the varsity.

Other Top Stories:

• UNILAG Announces hike in fees
• Reps move to end incessant boat mishaps
• Nigerian Farmers Demand Security to make Food Available
• Emefiele: Court fixes Date for trial

The statement read, “The Government of Rivers State has observed with dismay, the inconsistencies/irregularities and flagrant disobedience to the directives concerning just concluded recruitment exercise at the IAUE, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.

“Therefore, the recent employment exercise conducted by the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt is hereby cancelled.

“All appointment letters issued and received are hereby nullified and affected persons directed to return the letters to office of the Registrar of the institution, other employment-related properties such as ID Cards in their possession to office of the Head of Service, Rivers State immediately.

“A proper and credible recruitment exercise shall be conducted in due course.”

Reacting to this, the Chairman of Rivers Civil Society Organisations, RIVSCO, Enerfaa Georgewill,  said, “For us in the civil society space, we are vindicated to the extent of the irregularities cited by the government. We agree with those who say the process should be reviewed.

“The incumbent governor merely echoed what we said at the time of the exercise. Rivers people cannot forget we raised the red flag promptly enough over the impunity of nepotism, favouritism and the flawed processes on the employment at the time.

“It happened first at the Rivers State University (RSU) and government kept deaf ears to the alarm raised before same happened at the IAUE. Nothing to cheer about the government just waking up from her slumber now“.