The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi -Uku has urged the Delta State Government to dissolve the Governing Council of the Institution.
In a Communique issued at the end of its second quarter meeting held recently, the Union remarked that the Governing Council ” has consistently acted without recourse to the law establishing the institution, routinely bypassing the limits of it’s statutory powers and undermining the legally recognized rules of both management and staff unions.”
ASUP also appealed to the state government to reinstate the Registrar and Bursar of the Institution who were also purportedly suspended by the Council.
Meanwhile,the Delta State Government has reinstated the Rector, Prof Achuenu, who was purportedly suspended by the Council.
In a related development,the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari has said that only the Visitor(Governor )can discipline Polytechnic Rector, not Governing Council.
Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari, stated this Wednesday during a Flagship Public Affairs program “Orientation Panorama” on Voice of Delta Radio.
”As for the suspension of the Delta State Polytechnic Rector in Ogwashi-Uku, Prof Emmanuel Achuenu, the Governing Council acted ultra vires their powers by suspending the Rector.”-the Commissioner added.
He said the Chairman of the Governing Council is only superior to the Rector at Convocation ceremonies and during governing Council meetings.
He stated that the Board or the Chairman cannot, and should never exercise disciplinary actions on the Rector, pointing out that only the State Governor who is the Visitor to the Polytechnic, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has the right and privileges to suspend or discipline the Rector, while the Governing Council can only recommend disciplinary measures to the Visitor for consideration.
It is imperative to underscore that all disciplinary actions, especially those affecting Principal officers of the Polytechnic, must comply with relevant provisions of the law establishing the Polytechnic, as well as the terms and conditions of service applicable to Principal officers.
