Tension mounts at Federal Polytechnic Offa as ASUP accuses management of victimization

Tension is rising at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, following allegations by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) that management is victimizing its members.

The union claims that six of its executives have been summoned before the Senior Staff Investigation and Disciplinary Committee (SSIDC) over alleged misconduct linked to union activities.

In a statement released on Monday, ASUP Chairman, Dr. Idowu Atilola, described the development as a violation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached with management after a dispute in May 2025. He said the agreement included a “non-victimization clause” meant to protect union members from reprisals.

“On Friday, October 17, 2025, we were shocked to learn that several of our members, including six executives, had been invited before the disciplinary committee over issues that were already settled nearly six months ago,” the statement read.

Atilola recalled that the May 2025 industrial action began when the union halted examinations to protest alleged mismanagement of staff promotion arrears from 2017/2018, which it claimed were diverted to microfinance banks. Following negotiations involving deans, directors, and the governing council, an MoU was signed, ending the dispute.

“Reopening this matter contradicts the spirit of that agreement and raises questions about management’s commitment to fairness and integrity,” Atilola added.

The union has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the disciplinary invitations within 24 hours, warning that failure to do so would force ASUP to take “a firmer posture” in defense of its members.

However, the Polytechnic’s management has dismissed the allegations, insisting that the disciplinary process is a routine administrative procedure and not an act of victimization.

In a statement issued Tuesday by the institution’s spokesperson, Mr. Iroye Yinka, management explained that the union disrupted the commencement of the 2024/2025 first-semester examinations on May 12, 2025, after instructing members to withdraw from exam duties.

The spokesperson said the directive came after a May 5 communiqué from ASUP demanding the payment of departmental consumables, summer programme allowances, CONTISS 15 arrears, and outstanding 2017/2018 promotion arrears.

“Management held meetings with the union on May 9 and 11 to address these issues, and payments had already commenced before the disruption of examinations,” the statement said.

According to management, some ASUP executives allegedly forced their way into examination halls, disrupted ongoing exams, and destroyed students’ answer scripts—actions it described as “gross misconduct and vandalism of government property.”

Following petitions from students and reports to the Federal Ministry of Education, the Governing Council reportedly directed the SSIDC to investigate the matter to establish the extent of damage and individual responsibility.

“The invitation of ASUP members before the disciplinary committee is a standard administrative process, not a punitive action,” the statement added. “No institution can condone indiscipline or the destruction of public property.”

Management also referenced the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), which, during a July 2025 meeting, allegedly condemned the union’s disruption of examinations as “indefensible.”

As both sides maintain their positions, the atmosphere on campus remains tense. While ASUP insists on the withdrawal of the disciplinary summons, management has vowed to uphold due process in line with public service regulations.