The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri Chapter, has commenced an indefinite withdrawal of academic services over the alleged illegal reappointment of the institution’s retired former Rector, Dr. Wisdom Clinton Soreh.
The industrial action, which commenced on Monday, August 10, 2026, followed the failure of the Polytechnic’s Governing Council to reverse what the union described as the unlawful reappointment and commence the statutory process for the appointment of a substantive Rector.
In a press statement signed by the Chapter Chairman, Dr. Frank Oyin-Emi Ogbomah, ASUP said the Polytechnic had enjoyed relative industrial harmony until the inauguration of the Third Governing Council, accusing the Council of actions that allegedly plunged the institution into the present crisis.
According to the union, Dr. Soreh attained the compulsory retirement age of 65 years and formally retired from the service of the Polytechnic in February 2024, while his tenure as Rector ended on June 19, 2026.
ASUP alleged that despite the applicable retirement provisions, the Governing Council purportedly reappointed Soreh, claiming that it had recommended him to the Visitor for approval.
The union maintained that the action violated the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Establishment Law, 2014, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Revised Conditions of Service for Polytechnics, 2017, and the Retirement Age of Staff of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Harmonisation Act, 2012.
The union accused the Governing Council of failing to advertise the vacant position of Rector to enable eligible serving academic staff to apply and of failing to constitute the Search Team prescribed by law.
It said the required Search Team was expected to comprise two Chief Lecturers from the Academic Board and two other Chief Lecturers who were not members of the Academic Board.
ASUP further alleged that the Council failed to constitute the Joint Council and Academic Board Selection Board and did not recommend three successful candidates to the Visitor for consideration and appointment as required by the Establishment Law.
Another major issue raised by the union was the alleged backdating of Soreh’s purported reappointment letter to June 21, 2026.
ASUP noted that Dr. (Mrs.) Yaguo Eremasi Ikele was already serving as Acting Rector at the time, while Soreh subsequently formally handed over the administration of the Polytechnic to her on June 24, 2026.
The union argued that the handover demonstrated that the office of Rector was vacant and questioned the legal basis for the subsequent purported reappointment of the retired former Rector.
It also accused the Governing Council of acting contrary to its own letter of June 22, 2026, which appointed Ikele as Acting Rector for six months and expressly stated that due process under the Establishment Law would be followed in appointing a substantive Rector.
ASUP alleged that the Council misled the Bayelsa State Government by presenting only one name to the Visitor instead of following the statutory procedure requiring advertisement of the position, constitution of a Search Team, constitution of a Joint Selection Board and recommendation of three candidates to the Visitor.
The union further alleged that relevant provisions of the NBTE regulations concerning the mandatory retirement age of 65 were not properly presented to the government during the process.
ASUP stressed that the Polytechnic was not governed by the Establishment Law alone but was also subject to the regulatory requirements of the NBTE, its regulatory body.
The union warned that the controversy could have far-reaching consequences for the Polytechnic if the dispute remains unresolved.
ASUP said it could be compelled to invoke relevant regulatory and accreditation processes affecting some of the programmes offered by the institution.
It warned that continued disruption and what it described as disregard for statutory procedures could put the accreditation status of some programmes at risk.
The union also warned that the crisis could affect the Polytechnic’s access to mobilisation and intervention funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
It further raised the possibility of regulatory consequences involving the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), including possible delisting of the institution or affected programmes.
ASUP maintained that such consequences would be a direct fallout of the unresolved leadership crisis and the process allegedly initiated by the Governing Council, which it accused of misleading the government in the process that produced the purported reappointment.
The union said it was particularly concerned that the controversy could set a dangerous precedent in Bayelsa State and the Nigerian tertiary education system if a retired person were allowed to head a state-owned tertiary institution.
It noted that, to its knowledge, no tertiary institution owned by the Bayelsa State Government is currently headed, or has previously been headed, by a retiree.
“This Chapter will not allow Bayelsa State Polytechnic to be used to set such a dangerous precedent in the State or in Nigeria,” the union stated.
Consequently, ASUP said it had commenced a complete withdrawal of academic services in line with the directive of its national body.
The union disclosed that formal approval for the industrial action had been issued to the Polytechnic chapter, adding that a zonal press conference would be held next week under the leadership of the Zonal Coordinator.
ASUP’s demands include the immediate reversal of the purported reappointment of Soreh, reinstatement of Ikele as Acting Rector in accordance with the Governing Council’s June 22 letter, and immediate commencement of the statutory process for the appointment of a substantive Rector through advertisement, search, selection and recommendation of three candidates to the Visitor.
The union said it remained open to meaningful dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the dispute, provided such dialogue was guided strictly by the provisions of the law.
It warned, however, that the industrial action would continue until the Governing Council complied with its demands.
ASUP insisted that the controversy was not merely a dispute over an individual appointment but a matter concerning adherence to the law, institutional governance and the future of Bayelsa State Polytechnic.
“The rule of law must prevail over expediency and personal interest,” the union declared.