Protest cardboard mock up and black woman in crowd or street portrait with gender equality, human rights and justice with voice and power. Law, politics and activism mockup sign for women empowerment.
Staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, in Bayelsa State have called for the immediate removal of Rector Dr. Agbabiaka Lukman, citing multiple infractions including a violation of the Federal Polytechnic Act.
The campus has remained shut since 11 July following a joint protest by three unions: the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP).
Union leaders accused Dr. Lukman of sidelining the governing council and taking them to court over internal labour matters, which they argue should be resolved through statutory channels.
“In 2024, he unilaterally recruited 41 staff, mostly from his ethnic group, without budgetary approval or due process. This triggered a payroll crisis and contravened
the Federal Character principle,” said Deacon Charles Arogo, SSANIP Chairman.
He revealed that the institution’s workforce and student population had plummeted, with enrolment dropping from 3,000 in 2022 to just 500.
“Over 400 NASU members also had their June salaries withheld under the ‘no work, no pay’ rule – even though we had called off our strike within two months,” he added.
Arogo said the unions had formed a Joint Action Congress (JAC) and submitted a 14-point petition to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education, urging swift action to prevent total institutional collapse.
NASU Chairman, Mr. Etebu Ebifiye, labelled the Rector’s court action a “gross violation” of the Polytechnic Act.
“There is no legal basis for bypassing the governing council in labour disputes. This is a clear abuse of office.”
Ebifiye also criticised the governing council chairman for failing to act decisively, instead referring the matter to the Ijaw National Congress (INC) for mediation.
ASUP Chairman Mr. Woyengitonye Abadani confirmed that academic staff had suspended duties since 16 July due to safety concerns and rising tensions on campus.
“The council must suspend the Rector immediately and launch a full investigation into the allegations. Industrial peace cannot return otherwise,” Abadani insisted.
Mr. Nimizuo Pereseigha, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed that mediation is ongoing, facilitated by the INC.
He said the management has agreed to withdraw the court case, but procedural delays have occurred due to the judiciary’s ongoing vacation.
“The council chairman has visited Bayelsa twice on peace missions since the shutdown,” he added.
