The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bayelsa State Polytechnic Chapter, has faulted the management of the institution over queries issued to some academic officials for allegedly failing to attend an Academic Board meeting.
The union also demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the queries, warning that the dispute could trigger another industrial action if not resolved.
The management had queried some Heads of Department, Directors and Deans over their absence from an Academic Board meeting held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
In the queries dated September 3, the affected officials were accused of failing to attend the meeting without prior notice or explanation. Their absence was described by the management as an “act of sabotage” against the academic progress of the institution.
However, ASUP rejected the queries, saying the affected officials were acting in accordance with a directive issued by the union as part of its national mandate.
In a letter dated September 4 and addressed to the Registrar of the polytechnic, the union demanded that the queries be withdrawn immediately and unconditionally.
The letter, made available on Sunday, was signed by the chapter’s Chairman, Dr Oyin-Emi Ogbomah, and General Secretary, Comrade Nemine Tonprebofa Andrew.
ASUP explained that the directive to the Heads of Department, Directors and Deans not to attend meetings convened or chaired by the retired former Rector originated from the union’s chapter.
The union said it took the position because it did not recognise the retired former Rector as the legitimate Rector of the institution.
“As a registered and respected trade union representing serving academic staff, ASUP does not recognise a retiree who is a member of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners as Rector of any polytechnic,” the union stated.
It argued that serving academic staff could not be compelled to comply with directives issued by a retired former Rector.
The union further stated that, to its knowledge, there was no polytechnic in Nigeria where a retired rector continued to issue directives to serving academic staff.
“ASUP members are not bound by directives issued by a retiree and will not accept such an anomaly,” it added.
The latest dispute comes against the backdrop of an earlier industrial disagreement between ASUP and the management of the institution.
The union had previously embarked on a strike over concerns surrounding the administration of the polytechnic but suspended the action following the intervention of the Bayelsa State Government and the Visitor to the institution, Governor Douye Diri.
ASUP said it suspended the strike in recognition of the intervention by the state government and the governor, stressing that its immediate priority was to return to the classroom and resume academic activities.
The union’s latest position, however, indicates renewed tension between the academic staff and the institution’s management, with the possibility of another industrial action if the dispute is not resolved.
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