The election of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra state yesterday ended in crisis.
That was following violent protest by a faction of the members of the union who alleged imposition of a Chairmanship candidate on them by the university authorities.
The placard bearing members in their hundreds stormed the venue of the scheduled election for its officers sooner after voting commenced.
Their placards hung on their necks with various inscriptions critical of the alleged and suspected imposition and management interference.
They rushed on the podium where the ballot boxes were placed, seized and vandalized them.
All hell was let loose and stampede, commotion and confusion erupted as everyone who had come to participate in the election took to their heels.
Curiously none of the police officers and security officers of the institution remained docile. It was alleged that the Vice Chancellor had instructed them not to interfere in the election.
In a reaction, chairman of institution’s ASUU, Mr Emeka Nwabunna said their grouse was trying to impose a candidate on the union.
Apart from that, the management had issues that should have been resolved with the union before attempting to hold the election, they claimed.
From Chuks Collins, Awka