Deadlock at Bayelsa Polytechnic as ASUP, Governing Council Fail to Resolve Rector Appointment Dispute
By Our Correspondent
Efforts to resolve the lingering crisis over the controversial reappointment of the Rector of Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri, ended in a stalemate on Friday as a meeting between the institution’s Governing Council and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) failed to produce a breakthrough.
The parley, convened by the Governing Council following ASUP’s 14-day ultimatum over the reappointment of Dr. Wisdom Clinton Soreh as Rector, reportedly ended without any agreement as both parties maintained their hardline positions.
Sources familiar with the closed-door meeting told Niger Delta Herald that neither the Governing Council nor the union was willing to make concessions, leaving the dispute unresolved.
According to the sources, ASUP insisted that the only acceptable solution is the immediate reversal of the reappointment of the retired Rector and the commencement of a transparent process for appointing a substantive Rector in accordance with the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Law and other relevant regulations governing polytechnic administration.
The Governing Council, however, reportedly maintained that it could not reverse its earlier decision, arguing that doing so would undermine the Council’s authority and credibility.
A source who attended the meeting, but requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the deliberations, disclosed that members of the Governing Council acknowledged during discussions that mistakes may have been made in the handling of the Rector’s reappointment.
According to the source, despite that acknowledgement, the Council insisted that reversing the decision at this stage would portray it as having acted wrongly before the public.
“The Council admitted that there were issues with the reappointment, but members argued that reversing the decision now would make the Council look ‘stupid’ before the public,” the source alleged.
The source further claimed that members of the Council were concerned that if the matter eventually reaches Governor Douye Diri for review, it could expose the Council to criticism and possible indictment over the manner in which the appointment was handled.
According to the source, this concern has strengthened the Council’s resolve to stand by its decision despite the objections raised by the union.
ASUP, on its part, reportedly maintained that the dispute is not about personalities but about protecting due process and preserving the integrity of the institution.
The union reiterated its position that the appointment of the Rector should strictly comply with the provisions of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Law, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) regulations, and other extant public service rules.
The latest deadlock comes barely days after both parties exchanged strongly-worded letters over the legality of Dr. Soreh’s reappointment.
While the Governing Council had defended the appointment as lawful and made under the authority of Governor Douye Diri as Visitor to the institution, ASUP rejected the explanation, insisting that the reappointment of an officer who had attained the statutory retirement age of 65 years was illegal, null and void.
The inability of both sides to reach a compromise has heightened uncertainty within the Polytechnic, with fears that the dispute could escalate into industrial action if no political or legal intervention is made.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Governing Council nor ASUP had issued an official communiqué on the outcome of Friday’s meeting.
The controversy continues to generate concern among staff, students and stakeholders, many of whom are calling for an amicable resolution to prevent disruption of academic activities.
Editor’s Note: The claims regarding what transpired during the closed-door meeting, including the alleged admission by Council members, are based on information provided by an anonymous source and have not been independently verified or officially confirmed by the Governing Council.
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