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The South East Revival Group (SERG) has issued a strongly worded statement denouncing what it described as a reckless and politically motivated campaign by the Joint Civil Society Front (JCSF) to malign the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya.

In its reaction, SERG said the calls for the Vice Chancellor’s suspension or resignation were based on falsehoods, deliberate mischief, and a calculated attempt to drag the respected institution into a manufactured political controversy.

According to the group, the statement by JCSF represents a troubling pattern of misinformation and distortion of facts, aimed at turning a routine administrative clarification involving academic records into a full-blown crisis. SERG warned that such an approach not only undermines public confidence in the university system but also exposes an unhealthy intention to weaponise civil society platforms for political ends.

In addressing the crux of the allegation, the group stressed that Prof. Simon Ortuanya had no connection whatsoever with the admission, academic journey, or graduation of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

SERG made it clear that the Vice Chancellor was not in office during the period in question and therefore could not have supervised, influenced, or tampered with any aspect of Nnaji’s academic records. It described the accusations levelled against him as “illogical, malicious, and defamatory.”

The organisation expressed deep concern that JCSF was attempting to politicise what it described as a straightforward administrative issue. It noted that UNN, being Nigeria’s premier indigenous university, must be insulated from political battles or personal grievances disguised as activism.

Clarifying or verifying academic records, SERG explained, is a normal statutory responsibility reserved for the Registrar and relevant academic departments, and should not be misinterpreted as political interference or conspiracy.

SERG further condemned JCSF for what it termed a deliberate attempt to mislead the public through claims of bias or political vendetta.

The regional group said that the so-called civil society organisation had suddenly turned itself into a political pressure group, attempting to act as a spokesperson for an individual whose academic records had already been clarified publicly by the institution in the past. It described the narrative being promoted by JCSF as mischievous, sensational, and aimed at provoking unnecessary sentiment.

The group insisted that UNN must not be intimidated by what it referred to as shadow groups seeking to interfere with the autonomy of the institution. It said that calls for Prof. Ortuanya’s suspension, in the absence of any evidence or formal indictment, amounted to an attempt to coerce the university’s leadership and disrupt its administrative processes. SERG maintained that no individual or organisation has the right to blackmail university authorities under the guise of activism.

While expressing support for the investigative panel set up by the Minister of Education, SERG cautioned against attempts to influence the panel through media trials, propaganda, or pressure tactics. It argued that pre-emptive demands for suspension indicate a preconceived motive to destroy reputations before the panel has even begun its work.

The group restated its position that the allegations against the Vice Chancellor are unfounded, politically driven, and lacking any factual basis.

It urged JCSF to desist from misleading the public and weaponising civil society activism for narrow interests. SERG emphasised that UNN must be allowed to function without harassment or undue external interference, and that the investigative panel should be given the space to carry out its assignment independently and without distraction.

In its concluding remarks, SERG called on Nigerians, the academic community, and the general public to disregard what it described as orchestrated attacks aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the university and its leadership.

It said that UNN must be shielded from personalised political battles and that the truth must be allowed to prevail over sensationalism and manufactured controversy. The group appealed for calm, urging all stakeholders to reject attempts to stir unrest around an issue that is purely administrative.