By Christopher Nweke
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is currently standing at a moral crossroads, it can either make or mar, and the feet dragging at the top are loud enough to shake the conscience of every right-thinking Nigerian. With the panel of inquiry already inaugurated to investigate Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the UNN Vice-Chancellor, over his controversial and unauthorized involvement in the certificate of Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, let the world judge this fact:
The VC cannot sit in the same office he is being investigated. A judge doesn’t sit or decide his matter
However, Nigeria has suffered enough from leaders who cling to office even when glaring allegations hang around them like heavy chains. Prof. Simon Ortuanya’s case is not an exception. The accusations before the panel on gross incompetence, administrative recklessness, abuse of office, conspiracy and misuse of authority, are not light offences. They strike at the very heart of what academic leadership should stand for. I know the Federal Ministry Of Education and the Minister for Education is not taking it lightly.
Yet the UNN VC wants to remain in power while facing a probe?
It is unacceptable.
It is unethical.
It is a slap on the face of due process.
Worse still, Prof. Ortuanya took the shocking step of making public pronouncements on sensitive academic records, records he had no legal mandate to speak on. He Contradicts himself. He crossed boundaries. He tampered with confidentiality. He misled the public. And he reportedly did so with a level of confidence that raises more questions than answers.
When political noise and media pressure surrounded Chief Uche Nnaji, he did not hide behind government shields. He did not weaponize his office. He did not intimidate institutions or manipulate narratives.
He resigned, Voluntarily, Immediately and Decisively.
He stepped aside with clean hands because he had nothing to hide and everything to defend his integrity, his name and the rule of law. That is leadership. That is the character. That is the example that Prof. Ortuanya is running away from.
Why Must The Vc Step aside Now?
- Because one cannot supervise an investigation into oneself. As VC, Remaining in office is nothing but a strategic attempt to influence the process, No one can pretend otherwise.
- UNN is bigger than any Vice-Chancellor. The university is a national pride and as such No VC under investigation should drag it through mud.
- Administration must not be used as a shield. Imagine the alterations within two months in office – From unauthorized statements to questionable publications, the signs of overreach are too many to ignore.
- The panel must work free devoid of intimidation. If he’s still in office, Witnesses cannot speak freely because the accused still controls the institution.
- Honour demands stepping aside. Yes, it really demands that. If Chief Uche Nnaji, who was holding a federal office, could leave the office voluntarily, why is a university VC clinging desperately? Is he afraid of something?
- His Silence or hesitation now looks like guilt. The longer the VC stays in office, the more Nigerians believe he fears the truth.
UNN deserves better. The academic community deserves truth. The Nigerian public deserves transparency. And Prof. Ortuanya owes the system one simple responsibility: to Step aside. Allow the panel to do its work. If your hands are clean, you will return. If not, the truth will speak loud and clear.
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji showed courage, character and confidence in the rule of law. He walked away from power to protect his name. That example now stands as a mirror before Prof. Ortuanya.
The question is no longer whether he should step aside.
The question is why he hasn’t done so already.
