ESAN NATION STANDS WITH PROFESSOR OMONZEJIE, CONDEMNS EDO NORTH DOMINANCE IN AAU

ESAN NATION STANDS WITH PROFESSOR OMONZEJIE, CONDEMNS EDO NORTH DOMINANCE IN AAU

Esan News Magazine

A strongly worded statement from Esan News Magazine, the voice of truth, has condemned the overbearing nature of Edo North stakeholders pushing for the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Eunice Omonzejie, the first Esan woman to hold the position.

The Esan Nation views the current controversy surrounding Professor Omonzejie’s leadership as a deliberate attempt to undermine her authority and perpetuate the dominance of Edo North in the university’s hierarchical structure.

In a statement, Esan News Magazine expressed shock and dismay at the blatant attempt to remove Professor Omonzejie from office, citing it as a clear case of Edo North stakeholders trying to maintain their grip on the university.

“We recall that the Chairman of Council, Registrar, Bursar, and several other key positions are held by individuals from Edo North. This is unacceptable and a clear indication of marginalization,” the statement read.

The statement demanded an end to the perceived marginalization, emphasizing that the Esan Nation will not stand idly while their people are being marginalized and their university is being hijacked by a particular group.

“Professor Omonzejie has done a commendable job as Vice-Chancellor, and we will not allow anyone to undermine her authority. She is a proud Esan woman, and we will defend her to the end,” the statement added.

Esan News Magazine also called out Council member Mohammed Lukeman, who is allegedly leading the charge against Professor Omonzejie, for his role in the controversy.

“We know that Mohammed Lukeman is behind this plot, and we warn him to back off. We will not be intimidated or bullied. We will defend our university and our Vice-Chancellor at all costs,” the statement warned.

The statement has been signed by the Editorial Board of Esan News Magazine.

In a show of solidarity, stakeholders of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) have dismissed allegations of crisis within the institution, backing Vice-Chancellor Professor Eunice Omonzejie amidst calls for her removal.

The controversy surrounding Professor Omonzejie’s leadership has sparked intense debate, with supporters citing her commitment to academic excellence and institutional development as reasons for their confidence in her leadership.

The stakeholders’ robust defence of the Vice-Chancellor comes as a petition against her continues to gain traction, with some groups pushing for her ouster.

The full story is as follows:

A controversy has erupted at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, as stakeholders rally behind Vice-Chancellor Professor Eunice Omonzejie, disputing allegations of crisis within the institution.

The development comes amid reports of a petition against the Vice-Chancellor, with some groups calling for her removal. However, supporters of Professor Omonzejie argue that the allegations are baseless and part of a deliberate attempt to destabilize the university.

In a statement, stakeholders expressed their confidence in Professor Omonzejie’s leadership, citing her commitment to academic excellence and institutional development. They urged the public to disregard what they described as “malicious propaganda” aimed at tarnishing the Vice-Chancellor’s reputation.

The controversy is not new to AAU, which has experienced periods of unrest in the past, including student protests over security concerns and fee hikes. In January 2026, students staged a protest over worsening insecurity in Ekpoma, leading to the arrest and detention of two former Student Union Government leaders, Lifted Oyinbo Edubamoh and Igoh Ayano Christopher.

The detained students were later released after the intervention of the Edo State Government, and they have since filed lawsuits against the university management and the Nigeria Police Force, alleging unlawful arrest and detention.

Meanwhile, Professor Omonzejie has been making strides in promoting research and academic excellence at AAU. In December 2025, the university secured a ₦13.9 million research grant from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for innovative mobile network research.

As the controversy surrounding Professor Omonzejie’s leadership continues, stakeholders are calling for calm and urging the university community to focus on academic pursuits.

The stakeholders’ support for Professor Omonzejie is rooted in her vision for the university, which prioritizes academic excellence, research, and community engagement. Her leadership has led to significant improvements in the university’s infrastructure, including the construction of new buildings and the upgrade of existing facilities.

The university has also witnessed an increase in research output, with faculty members publishing papers in reputable journals and presenting research findings at international conferences.

Despite the challenges, Professor Omonzejie remains committed to her vision for AAU, and her supporters are confident that she will overcome the current crisis and continue to lead the university to greater heights.

The controversy has sparked a heated debate on social media, with some people expressing support for Professor Omonzejie, while others are calling for her removal.

As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the stakeholders are determined to defend Professor Omonzejie’s leadership and ensure that the university continues to thrive.