In apparent reaction to the recent cult clashes that claimed the lives of three students of the Rivers State University, Visitor to the university and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike today sacked the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Professor Blessing Chimezie Didia.

Also sacked alongside Professor Didia was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Magnus Oruwari.

Wike instantly replaced Prof Didia with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Opuenebo Owei, to serve as the acting Vice Chancellor.

The sack, which takes immediate effect, was announced today by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dagogo Adonye Hart.

Prof Didia was a staunch ally of Wike and campaigned vigorously for him in the run-up to the 2015 electionsin the state.

He was accordingly rewarded with the appointment as the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt.

The statement added that Governor Wike has suspended the ongoing employment exercise at the university.

Furthermore, a committee has been set up to investigate the employment exercise and report to the Rivers State Governor in two weeks.

Close watchers of the development opine that the sack of Prof Didia may not be unconnected to the employment saga at the university.

Unconfirmed sources had insinuated that Prof Didia allegedly refused to comply with an alleged directive to prioritise applications from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where the Governor hails from, in the recent employment exercise.

An anonymous source told Kristina Reports that there were fears that the recent cult clash at the university may have been a smokescreen to create an alibi to punish Prof Didia.

The State Police Command says it has arrested two suspects in connection to the incident but so far there has been no definitive action.

RSU, formerly known as the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, was rid of cultism and other criminal activities under the administration of the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Professor B.B. Fakae.