Bayelsa Polytechnic Crisis Deepens as Governing Council, ASUP Clash Over Rector’s Reappointment
Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri, is facing a deepening governance crisis as the institution’s Governing Council and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have taken opposing positions over the controversial reappointment of Dr. Wisdom Clinton Soreh as Rector.
The disagreement, which has heightened tensions within the institution, follows the Governing Council’s defence of the Rector’s reappointment and ASUP’s outright rejection of the Council’s position, insisting that the appointment is unlawful and must be reversed.
In a letter dated July 28, 2026, signed by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Barr. Michael Odogu Zuokumor (Rtd. DIG), the Council maintained that the reappointment of Dr. Soreh complied with the provisions of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Establishment Law, 2014.
The Council explained that the office of the Rector is a political appointment vested in the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, in his capacity as the Visitor to the institution. According to the Council, Governor Diri approved Dr. Soreh’s reappointment following recommendations by the Governing Council and legal advice from the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Responding to the 14-day ultimatum earlier issued by ASUP, the Council argued that although Dr. Soreh had attained the age of 65, the Governor possessed the legal authority to make the appointment.
It further contended that ASUP has no statutory powers to appoint or remove a Rector or invalidate an appointment duly approved by the Visitor to the institution.
The Council challenged the union to specifically identify any legal provisions allegedly violated rather than making general allegations of illegality. It also cautioned that the ultimatum could disrupt academic activities and create unnecessary tension within the Polytechnic.
As part of efforts to resolve the dispute amicably, the Governing Council invited the leadership of ASUP to a dialogue scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Polytechnic’s NSQ Centre, Opolo, Yenagoa, requesting the union to submit a memorandum detailing its grievances ahead of the meeting.
The Council appealed to the union to withdraw its ultimatum and embrace dialogue in the interest of industrial harmony, while reaffirming its commitment to lawful administration, accountability, academic excellence and the continued development of the institution.
However, in a strongly-worded five-page response dated July 30, 2026, ASUP rejected the Council’s position in its entirety, insisting that the reappointment of Dr. Soreh is illegal, null and void.
The letter, jointly signed by the ASUP Chapter Chairman, Dr. Oyin-Emi Frank Ogbomah, and the General Secretary, Comrade Tonprebofa Andrew Nemine, acknowledged receipt of the Governing Council’s correspondence but maintained that the union could not accept what it described as an unlawful appointment.
According to ASUP, the Governing Council itself admitted that Dr. Soreh had attained the statutory retirement age of 65 years, making any reappointment inconsistent with existing laws governing polytechnic administration.
The union alleged that the Council violated the provisions of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Law, 2014, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Revised Conditions of Service for Polytechnics, and the National Board for Technical Education Act, 2012, by extending the tenure of a retired officer.
ASUP further claimed that the appointment of an Acting Rector was not carried out in accordance with the institution’s governing law, alleging that due process, transparency and proper consultation were ignored throughout the process.
While expressing its readiness to engage in dialogue, the union maintained that any meaningful discussion must be based on strict compliance with the law and the immediate reversal of what it described as illegal appointments.
ASUP consequently demanded the immediate withdrawal of Dr. Soreh’s reappointment, the commencement of a transparent process for appointing a substantive Rector in accordance with the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Law, and strict adherence to due process in the administration of the institution.
Copies of the union’s letter were forwarded to Governor Douye Diri, the Commissioner for Education, the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and other relevant stakeholders.
With both parties standing firmly by their legal interpretations, attention is now focused on the outcome of the proposed dialogue, amid growing concerns that the lingering dispute could disrupt academic activities if an amicable resolution is not reached.
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