Ex-VC: How ASUU Brought Snake To My Office Over ABU Crisis

Professor Daniel Iyorkegh Saror, a former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), shared his recollections of a tumultuous period during his tenure from 1991 to 1995. Saror recounted how opposition from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) led to a series of disputes, culminating in a petition that was delivered to him while he was on his way back from Gboko for a chieftaincy ceremony.

Upon returning home, he learned of the petition through the radio, which initially left him shocked. Subsequently, he sought to respond to the allegations at the Kaduna office of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), but the controversy only intensified from there.

The university's Senate Building reportedly became locked during the standoff, and the opposition was fueled by disagreements over the management of the university following the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). Saror resisted the ASUU's demands for greater involvement in university management, which led to further tension between him and the academic community.

The situation reached a chilling climax when rumours surfaced that a snake had been brought into his office as part of the intimidation tactics. Saror confirmed the reality of the story, revealing that a local snake charmer named Haruna from Shika had participated in the ill-conceived scheme to coerce him into resigning.

Despite the threats and unrest, Saror remained steadfast in his position, stating that only the president of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha, held the authority to remove him from office. The military government subsequently intervened by setting up a commission of inquiry headed by Major-General Mamman Kontagora to investigate the unrest.

Saror was surprised when the commission submitted its report shortly before his tenure ended, recommending his removal. However, he was allowed to complete his term and was later succeeded by Kontagora, who was appointed sole administrator of the university.

Saror's experience with ASUU did not permanently sour his relationship with the university. He later sold his agricultural farm in Zaria to ABU and received an honorary recognition from the university's alumni association years after leaving office. However, the controversy had a lasting impact on him, influencing his decision not to seek another term due to the intensity of the hostility he faced.