The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has written to the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, demanding compliance with the judgment of the National lndustrial Court in Abuja, which sacked five rectors in federal polytechnics, the Punch reports.
The Punch had earlier reported how the Industrial Court ordered the sacking of five rectors, declaring that their appointments by the Federal Government was not procedurial.
The affected rectors are Dr Terlumun Utser of the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune; Professor Edwin Onyeneje of the Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo;
Professor Edward Okey of the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep; Dr Zakari Ya’u of the Federal Polytechnic, Shendem; and Professor Garba Ngala of the Federal Polytechnic, Mungonu.
ASUP National President, Professor Anderson Ezeibe, had in a letter to the Education Minister dated March 24, recalled that Justice Obaseki Osaghae, sacked the affected rectors following a suit by ASUP.
“Judgment has been delivered in the suit in agreement with our union’s
contention that the persons so appointed do not have the requisite
qualification captured in the law to be appointed, amongst other declarations of the court.
“This judgment is viewed by our union as one with immense benefits for
the Nigerian polytechnic system.
“We hereby request the following: immediate removal of the affected
persons as rectors of the affected polytechnics; a directive to the
Governing Councils of the affected polytechnics to commence the process
for the appointment of new rectors for the affected polytechnics, in accordance to the law,” Professor Ezeibe said.
The Minister of Education could not be immediately reached for comments,
according to the Punch.
Findings by the Punch showed that the National Board for Technical Education (NBE), the regulatory body for polytechnics in Nigeria, acknowledged receipt of the letter.