Ogwashi-Uku Poly Strike: Governing Council Accuses ASUP of Shielding Management, Disrupting Govt Investigation

The Governing Council, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Tuesday, faulted the decision of the Academic Staff Union of the Polytechnics (ASUP), on its two-week warning strike, describing the decision as calculated plan to shield and to frustrate ongoing investigations into allegations of certificate racketeering, recklessness and misappropriation of funds against some principal officers.

In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, the Chairman, Governing Council, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Hon. (Pastor) Paul Adingwupu, alleged that the union’s leadership was being sponsored by individuals opposed to transparency and accountability, accusing them of attempting to use industrial action as a tool to blackmail the government into abandoning due process.

According to the Chairman of the Council, Hon. (Pastor) Adingwupu, the recent crisis rocking the institution was triggered by allegations of certificate, result racketeering, recklessness and misappropriation of funds involving some principal officers, including the Rector and the Registrar, which are currently being investigated by the Delta State House of Assembly after preliminary handling by the office of the Deputy Governor for the purpose of fairness and transparency.

The Council expressed surprise that ASUP, which should focus on issues of staff welfare, had chosen to involve itself in matters already under investigation and unrelated to the union’s core mandate. It described the strike as an attempt to “arm-twist the government into taking sides in a matter that is still under official scrutiny.”

“It is unfortunate that the union has allowed itself to be used as a weapon by vested interests who are clearly afraid of the truth coming out. This strike is nothing but an attempt to blackmail the Governor into doing what is ethically and legally wrong,” the statement read in part.

The Council further clarified that those suspended in connection with the allegations, including the Registrar, were not members of ASUP but belonged to other staff unions within the institution. It therefore questioned the rationale behind ASUP’s decision to embark on a strike over the suspension of officers who were not even its members.

“If the suspended officers belong to other unions, why is ASUP taking up their case? Why are the unions directly representing them not speaking? It simply confirms that the union has been hijacked to serve the interest of the management rather than that of workers,” the Council queried.

On the issue of the suspended Registrar, the Council stated that his recall was out of the question, noting that the matter was already before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“Instead of cooperating with the investigation to clear his name, the Registrar went to court to challenge his suspension. Since the matter is sub judice, there is no moral or legal basis for the union to demand his reinstatement. They should allow the court to decide,” the Council added.

The Governing Council also took exception to what it described as double standards on the part of the union, noting that in their own statements, ASUP leaders acknowledged that the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has been a labour-friendly leader who prioritizes the welfare of workers, particularly in tertiary institutions across the state.

“If the Governor has been that labour-friendly, as they themselves admitted, why are they still embarking on this strike? It makes no sense. Their action contradicts labour laws and undermines the principles of collective bargaining,” the Council stated.

According to the Council, labour unions exist to defend the rights and welfare of workers, not to fight personal battles on behalf of management officials facing allegations.

“This strike has nothing to do with staff welfare or working conditions. It is purely an attempt to shield certain individuals from accountability. It is wrong and it will not stand,” the statement emphasized.

The Governing Council therefore called on the State Government and the general public to disregard what it termed a “misguided and politically motivated action” by the ASUP chapter, insisting that it remained committed to upholding due process and cleansing the institution of “unwholesome practices and financial recklessness.”

“We reaffirm our resolve to work for the greater good of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. We will not be distracted by those who wish to frustrate reforms. Our duty is to protect the integrity of this institution, and that is exactly what we will continue to do,” the Council concluded