By Onomiguren Agbamu
The Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku chapters of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics ( ASUP), SSANIP and NASU, have called on the state government , to “immediately bring about a lasting solution to the excesses of the current Governing Council of Delta State Polytechnic , Ogwashi-Uku,in what they described as “gross misconduct , abuse of office , and breach of institutional laws” of the council
In the light of its grouses, the joint unions have issued a 21-day (15 working days) ultimatum to the state government , through the Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari, to look into their demands or risk a full-scale industrial action
In a letter dated 8th July 2025, addressed to “The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Higher Education, State Secretariat Complex, Asaba, Delta State,”, and titled “FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE OVERBEARING CONDUCT, LAWLESSNESS, AND FINANCIAL RECKLESSNESS OF THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF DELTA STATE POLYTECHNIC, OGWASHI-UKU, A 21 DAY ULTIMATUM FOR ACTION.”.
The joint unions also listed ten ( 10) allegations against the Pastor Paul Adingwupu- led Governing Council
The protest letter, signed by ASUP DSPG Chapter Chairman , Michael Ogana, PhD, and Joint Union Chairman , Comrade Ayewumi Andrew , noted that the institution’s Governing Council actions “are not only a violation of the Polytechnic law, but also a grave threat to the institutional integrity and industrial peace within the Polytechnic.”
The joint union specifically emphasized the Governing Council’s High handedness and unilateral decision making , persistent attempts to fleece the institution through questionable approvals and illegal daily council meetings , frivolous accusations of the management staff of financial impropriety without due diligence of investigation, occasioned by the management’s refusal to allow them to continually fleece the institution; and concerted efforts to frustrate the recent accreditation of Programmes of the institution , by refusing to approve the statutory funds needed for the exercise , were some of the examples of overreach of the Adingwupu- led Council
Others include the persistent refusal of the Council Chairman and members of the Council to meet with the polytechnic,s union executives in a bid to resolve emanating issues, the usurpation of the functions and powers of the management team of the institution , delay in implementation of staff promotions as a result of the Council’s,refusal to assent to the recommendations of the Appointments and Promotion Committee ( A&PC), needless waste of the institution,s resources to engage the services of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN), in a matter against a staff, arbitrary issuance of suspension letters with blatant disregard to the due processes of the law , institutional procedures and established regulatory frameworks guiding the Council,s functions , as well as the use of men and officials of the Nigeria Police Force to harass the Rector
Further incensing the joint union , they said “efforts by the union to engage the Governing Council constructively, and draw attention to these excesses, have been met with repudiation, silence, and in some cases, retaliation.”
The ultimatum also added that its full scale industrial action , if its demands are not met will include “the withdrawal of all academic services until justice is served,”, emphasizing that it should not be held liable for any disruption arising from the inaction of the authorities concerned.
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