The Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Cross River State has criticized the recent appointment of an acting Vice-Chancellor for the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), citing that frequent leadership changes disrupt academic stability and progress. Governor Bassey Otu on January 26 replaced Prof. Austine Angba with Prof. Francisca Bassey as the acting Vice-Chancellor and appointed Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, former Executive Secretary of the National Planning Commission, as Pro-Chancellor.

In a statement titled “UNICROSS Again: Another Step in the Wrong Direction” and signed by its chairman, Anthony Bissong Attah, the YPP expressed disapproval of the recurrent changes in leadership. “With more than five Vice-Chancellors in five years, this institution has further plunged into greater uncertainties,” the statement read, questioning why Prof. Angba was not allowed to complete his tenure, which was due to end later this year. The party argued that stability would have been better served by retaining him while the governing council conducted a proper search for a substantive VC.

The YPP also raised concerns about the interim nature of the new appointment and suggested that avoiding the selection of a substantive VC might be intentional. They welcomed Prof. Francisca Bassey but emphasized the need for long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. The party further criticized the approach, comparing it to a “theatrical management style” and calling for more thoughtful leadership to ensure institutional stability.

Meanwhile, the UNICROSS Alumni Association, while initially echoing similar concerns, later acknowledged the inevitability of the Governor’s actions. In a statement by its president, Dr. Peter Iyali, the association clarified that legal requirements under the university’s establishment laws necessitated the recent appointment. Dr. Iyali explained that a substantive VC could only be appointed after a three-month advertisement period and six weeks of application processing, making the interim arrangement unavoidable. He concluded that compliance with legal procedures was crucial to avoid potential disputes and ensure sustainable governance at the institution.