By our correspondent
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri Chapter, has directed its members to withdraw their services from the institution beginning Monday, August 10, 2026, over the controversial reappointment of a retired former Rector as Rector of the Polytechnic.
The union said the decision followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Governing Council of the Polytechnic to reverse what it described as the purported reappointment of the retired former Rector without compliance with the provisions of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Establishment Law.
In a statement signed by the Chapter Chairman, Dr. Oyin-Emi Frank Ogbomah, ASUP alleged that the Governing Council failed to follow the statutory procedure for the appointment of a substantive Rector.
According to the union, the law requires the position of Rector to be advertised to enable eligible serving academic staff to apply.
It further stated that the law provides for the constitution of a Search Team comprising two Chief Lecturers from the Academic Board and two other Chief Lecturers who are not members of the Academic Board.
ASUP said the law also provides for a Joint Council and Academic Board Selection Board comprising the Council Chairman, two members of Council and two Chief Lecturers who were not members of the Search Team.
The union added that the Selection Board is expected to recommend the three best candidates to the Visitor for appointment.
ASUP maintained that none of the procedures were followed in the case of the Polytechnic, arguing that the Governing Council does not have the statutory power to appoint a Rector.
“The Law does not give the Council the power to appoint a Rector. Only the Visitor, the Governor, has the power to appoint the Rector after due process has been followed,” the statement said.
The union said it had consistently kept its Zonal Coordinator and National President informed throughout the dispute, adding that the national leadership directed the Chapter at every stage of the struggle, including the contents of correspondence sent to the Governing Council and the state government.
According to ASUP, several letters, engagements with members of the Governing Council and the 14-day ultimatum failed to persuade the Council to reverse the appointment.
The union also cited the recent action of the Governing Council of Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education (IJBCOE), Sagbama, which advertised the position of Provost in accordance with the law establishing the institution.
ASUP said the development occurred despite an earlier state government announcement naming the current occupant as Provost.
The union therefore urged the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Governing Council to emulate the IJBCOE council by advertising the position of Rector and allowing all qualified serving academic staff to compete for the position.
It accused the Polytechnic Governing Council of favouring a retired former Rector over serving Chief Lecturers, describing the development as unacceptable to the union.
ASUP further argued that no tertiary institution owned by the Bayelsa State Government is currently headed, or has previously been headed, by a retiree.
“BYSPOLY will not be used to set such a dangerous precedent in the State or in Nigeria,” the union declared.
The union said its action was aimed at protecting the integrity of the Polytechnic system and ensuring adherence to due process by institutions owned by the state government.
Consequently, ASUP directed all its members at the Polytechnic to stay away from work from Monday, August 10, 2026, pending further directives from its national body.
The union said the notice of the industrial action had already been communicated to the Governing Council, while the Visitor to the Polytechnic, Governor Douye Diri, would also be formally informed on Monday.
The union urged members requiring further information on the strike to contact the Chapter Chairman.
The development is expected to further heighten the dispute over the leadership of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic and could disrupt academic and administrative activities at the institution if no resolution is reached.
