The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has refuted claims that its President, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, accused the Chapter Chairman of Benjamin Uwajumogu College of Education, Ihite Uboma, Imo State, of inciting a crisis at the institution.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Dr. Churchill Okonkwo, COEASU Vice President and Zonal Coordinator for the South East Zone, the union clarified that Dr. Olugbeko made no such accusations during his recent visit to the college.

Okonkwo addressed an online publication alleging that Olugbeko had criticized Comrade Wilson Amandi, the institution’s COEASU chairman, for supposedly instigating unrest. He described the publication as “misleading” and a distortion of the union president’s reconciliatory efforts.

 “In the said article, the author claimed that the President criticized the actions of the chapter chairman and secretary for taking grievances to the media, calling their allegations unsubstantiated. This is false,” Okonkwo stated.

He clarified that Dr. Olugbeko’s visit was a routine engagement to interact with union members and support the college’s mission of teacher education. During the visit, the president encouraged harmony and progress within the college community, advising against actions that could lead to conflicts, given the institution’s relative infancy.

Okonkwo emphasized that the meeting between the union and the college’s management did not include any journalists, making the claims in the press release baseless.

“It is surprising that the press release misinterpreted Dr. Olugbeko’s peaceful and reconciliatory message,” he noted, suggesting that certain individuals within the institution may benefit from ongoing conflicts.

He also challenged the journalist responsible for the publication to provide evidence of their presence at the meeting, asserting that the president was accompanied only by union officials, including himself and Assoc. Prof. Jovita Ogu, Zonal Secretary and Chairman of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Academic Staff Union.

Okonkwo urged the public to disregard the misleading publication and focus on fostering peace and stability in higher education institutions.

“The union remains committed to promoting harmony and ensuring the welfare of its members, as well as the overall progress of the college,” he concluded.