By Desire Emmanuel
The lingering crisis at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe in Bayelsa State, seems to have got messier as the Governing Council of the institution on Friday, October 10, suspended the Rector, Dr Lukman Agbabiaka and appointed Dr Timine Suoware to hold the office in acting capacity.
Recall that the institution has been embroiled in crisis for some time over a labour dispute that kept the institution under lock since July this year.
In fact, a mediatory meeting was held by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, with management and workers union over the lingering dispute and following the meeting, an agreement was reached to reopen the institution, but the labour unions refused to return.
Alausa had at the September 28 meeting directed the Governing Council to set up a panel to investigate allegations of misconduct and breach of the Polytechnic Act and report findings within three weeks.
The Governing Council subsequently convened an emergency council meeting on October 4, where it was resolved to suspend Agbabiaka.
It was however gathered on Friday that the suspension of the Rector and appointment were contained in a letter dated October 9, signed by Chairman, Governing Council of the Polytechnic, Dr. Baba Ajimi.
Suoware, until his appointment, was the Deputy Rector in charge of academics at the institution located on the banks of River Nun in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The letter appointing an acting rector reads: “I am directed by the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State, to convey your appointment as the Acting Rector with immediate effect.
“The appointment is necessitated by the vacuum created due to the suspension of the Rector (Dr. Agbabiaka Lukman Adegoke) by the Governing Council, subject to the approval of the Minister of Education.
“As the Acting Rector, you are to perform the functions of the Chief Executive of the Polytechnic, responsible for the general management and operations of the institution, by providing academic leadership to the management and staff and reporting to the Governing Council in line with the provisions of the Polytechnic Act.”
