Bayelsa polytechnic faces new showdown as ASUP rejects queries
Fresh tensions are brewing at Bayelsa State Polytechnic as the institution’s management and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) clash over disciplinary queries issued to senior academic officials who failed to attend an Academic Board meeting.
The controversy centres on queries served on several Heads of Department, Directors and Deans following their absence from a meeting held on 2 September. Management reportedly viewed the officials’ non-attendance as a serious breach of responsibility and demanded written explanations within 48 hours.
*Bayelsa State Polytechnic
Abimbola Joseph
Fresh tensions are brewing at Bayelsa State Polytechnic as the institution’s management and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) clash over disciplinary queries issued to senior academic officials who failed to attend an Academic Board meeting.
The controversy centres on queries served on several Heads of Department, Directors and Deans following their absence from a meeting held on 2 September. Management reportedly viewed the officials’ non-attendance as a serious breach of responsibility and demanded written explanations within 48 hours.
However, ASUP has firmly backed the affected officials, insisting that their actions were in line with a directive issued by the union. The chapter leadership has consequently called for the immediate withdrawal of all queries, arguing that its members were complying with a legitimate union decision rather than engaging in misconduct.
In a letter addressed to the institution’s registrar, the union maintained that the instruction originated from ASUP and specifically advised members occupying key academic leadership positions not to attend meetings convened or presided over by the institution’s retired former rector.
The union’s position is rooted in its refusal to recognise the retired official as the substantive rector of the polytechnic. According to ASUP, serving academic staff should not be compelled to adhere to directives issued by an individual who has formally retired from service.
Union leaders argued that their stance is consistent with established academic and administrative practices within Nigeria’s polytechnic system.
They contended that the decision of members to stay away from the meeting should not attract disciplinary action because it was taken collectively and under the authority of the union.
The latest disagreement comes only weeks after a separate industrial dispute threatened academic activities at the institution. ASUP had earlier embarked on strike action over governance-related concerns before suspending the action following the intervention of the Bayelsa State Government and Governor Douye Diri.
Despite the suspension of the strike, underlying tensions appear far from resolved.
Management reportedly maintains that officials who missed the Academic Board meeting failed to provide advance notice or any formal justification for their absence.
The administration is said to be concerned that such conduct could disrupt decision-making processes and undermine the smooth administration of academic affairs.
ASUP, however, believes the issue extends beyond attendance at a meeting and reflects the broader dispute over the leadership and governance structure of the institution. The union insists that its members acted within the bounds of an authorised directive and should not be singled out for disciplinary sanctions.
With both sides holding firmly to their positions, the dispute risks reopening a conflict many had hoped was settled after the suspension of the strike. ASUP has already warned that it may pursue further industrial measures if the queries are not withdrawn.
For now, attention is focused on whether dialogue can prevail before the disagreement escalates into another disruption of academic activities at the state-owned polytechnic.
