…Supports Illegal Caretaker Committee
In a disturbing development at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, the institution’s Rector, Dr. Basilia Igbokwe has taken controversial actions against the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) chapter, raising questions about academic freedom and union rights.
Following a disrupted ASUP congress on October 30th, 2024, the Rector has implemented several restrictive measures, including sealing the union’s secretariat, halting check-off dues deductions, and freezing the union’s financial transactions. These actions have been deemed a direct violation of the Trade Union Act by union officials.
The crisis began when the scheduled congress was reportedly disrupted through what ASUP describes as a “premeditated mob action” involving some former chapter chairmen who are currently serving as the Rector’s appointees. The attendance register was allegedly snatched and later misrepresented as signatories to a non-existent resolution.
In response to these events, rather than addressing the reported violence, the Rector has recognized an unconstitutional Caretaker Committee and established a committee to investigate what ASUP maintains is an internal union matter. These actions have prompted national ASUP leadership to include these grievances in their reasons for declaring a two-week warning strike starting December 2nd, 2024.
ASUP chapter Chairman, Comr. Engr. Stanley Nwadike, and General Secretary, Comr. Samuel Adeyemo, have affirmed their legitimate leadership, despite facing what they describe as “different forms of intimidation and threats.” The national ASUP leadership has already condemned the disruption and affirmed the current chapter leadership’s legitimacy.
The union leaders have expressed concern over what appears to be unprecedented interference in union affairs, raising questions about the motivation behind the Rector’s actions and their implications for academic excellence and labor rights in the institution.
