By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has call on the Federal Government to obey an order of the National Industrial Court mandating it to relieve five polytechnics’ Rectors of their appointments, just as it also asked state governments owing lecturers salaries to pay before May 29.
ASUP President, Anderson Ezeibe, made the calls in Abuja on Thursday, 5 April, 2023 during a chat with newsmen after the 106th National Executive Council meeting of the union.
The Industrial Court had, last month, nullified the appointment of the Rectors for lack of requisite qualifications.
They ware: Prof. Edward Okey, Dr Zakari Yau, Prof. Garba Ngala, Prof. Edwin Onyeneje and Dr Terlumun Utser of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep; Federal Polytechnic, Shendam; Federal Polytechnic, Mungonu; Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo and Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, respectively.
Ezeibe said: “Our union is unhappy that the supremacy of the rule of law is threatened in the Nigerian polytechnic system as this signals a new regime of impunity in the sector.
“We have equally drawn the attention of the Federal Ministry of Education on the need to respect the judgment of the court and extend the same to the purported appointments of Prof. Mohammed Magaji and Dr. Duke Okoro as Rectors of the new Federal Polytechnics in Kano and Delta states.
“It is unfortunate that the sector is already operating in the realm of crass impunity and disrespect for the rule of law.”
The union leader, who said it was sad that academics were owed salaries in the current economic dispensation, noted that its members in Abia state institutions are owed salaries of over 40 months.
ASUP president also listed Plateau, Osun, Benue, Edo and Ondo State polytechnics as some of the institutions where his members are being owed salaries.
