The Joint Staff Committee of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ekiti State University (EKSU) chapter, has cried out over alleged threat to members’ lives by agents of Prof. Edward Olanipekun, the Vice-Chancelor.

In a letter addressed to the VC and signed by chairmen of the three associations on Thursday, the committee revealed that “an ally and close-associate” of the VC invaded a union meeting in the university on Thursday, with weapons and charms, claiming to have the VC’s blessing to kill 10 union members.

“One Mr. Richard Olayinka Olajide , the expelled and former chairman of NASU, EKSU branch, and one Mrs. Esan Christianah Taiwo, former Treasurer, NASU, EKSU branch, invaded the congress brandishing machetes charms and various charms to harm, maim, and he threatened to threatened to kill the leadership and members of our unions,” the statement partly reads.

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“The said Mr. Olayinka Richard Olajide, a known ally and close associate of the Prof Edward Olanipekun, the Vice Chancellor made calls across to the Vice Chancellor in the presence of everybody, including the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the University. After the call, he boasted that he has [sic] the authority to kill ten members of the congress, including Comrades T. A. Aguda, S.k. Olajutemu, and M. L. Tope Akanmu, the SSANU Chairman, NASU Caretaker Chairman, and immediate past Chairman, respectively.”

The union further accused the VC of supporting the criminal moves of Olajide and his gang in other to advance his divide-and-rule tactic.  

Authorities of the university had earlier proscribed all workers unions and shut down the institution indefinitely following a protest over poor welfare of staff. Union leaders, however, described the proscription as illegal as such powers were beyond government or any management.