By Asishana John
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) Zone-A has expressed its displeasure over reappointment of the Rector of The Federal Polytechnic Bida, Dr Abdul Abubakar Dzukogi for a four-year tenure.
ASUP stated that the reappointment is a clear abinitio that he had less than four years to proceed on retirement.
According to ASUP in a statement, “We consider this not only as an aberration of the law but an error of commitment perpetuated against the spirit and provision of the Polytechnic Act, 2019 as amended.
“Section 8, subsection 2.ai of the Act stipulates that: ‘Qualifications of the persons who may apply for the post, which shall be a Chief Lecturer in the Polytechnic sector with at least five years’ experience on that position among other criteria
“No”Section 14, subsection 4 which provides for retirement clearly states that: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Pensions Reform Act, the compulsory retirement age of staff of the Polytechnics shall be 65 years” and section 16 subsection 4 in unambiguous terms states that “there shall be no Sole Administration in any Polytechnic in Nigeria.
“Regrettably, the Ministry of Education argues and presents the superiority of a CIRCULAR (HCSF/EMS/EIR/B.636994/IV/T2/96) in 2009 signed by Office of the Head of Service of the Federation claimed to be superior over the Federal Polytechnic Act, 2019 as amended and passed into LAW by National Assembly Members and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
“It is unimaginable that a Circular written by individuals for a reason best known to them can replace a Law of the Land. This act can be describe as a clear manifestation of a situation where interest of individuals supersedes general interest of Nigerians and Nigeria as against the campaign mantra of the current admiration willingness and commitment to adherence to the rule of law.
“Firstly, by virtue of the fact that, Dr. Abdul Abubakar Dzukogi retired from the services of the Polytechnic on 9th June, 2020 vide a letter dated 10th June 2020 following a purported directive to that effect by the Federal Ministry of Education to enable him continue in office to serve out the remaining part of his tenure. An action that is totally alien to the law. By his retirement, Dr A.A Dzukogi ceases to be a staff of the Polytechnic and could not occupy a position stipulated by Law for a Chief Lecturer in the Polytechnic.
“Secondly, Dr A.A Dzukogi had already clocked 65 years of age on 15th February 2021, by which, he ought to have exited the system just as the Executive Secretary of NBTE Mr. Expenyong E. Expenyong, and many Rectors as well as Chief Lecturers honourably did in the recent past on the atainment of 65 years retirement age but something is playing amongst the Officials of the Ministry that approved his stay in Office in spite of these obvious breach.
Thirdly, however, the Federal Ministry of Education is yet to provide the New Nomenclature the System would recognise Dr. A. A. Dzukogi with as the head of the Institution having been deemed to have exited compulsorily and voluntarily, because the Act establishing the Polytechnic in Nigeria no longer recognises him as Rector nor Chief Lecturer because he is not a Polytechnic Staff anymore.
“Consequently, the union hereby, demands that “the president who is a visitor to the Polytechnic and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene by compelling the appointing authorities to, in the interest of peace and industrial harmony, CALL ON the Federal Ministry of Education, particularly the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adamu Adamu who has been mute, to reverse itself by correcting this stern anomaly and non-warrantable condo.
“The Head of Service of the Federation should also rise in defense of Civil Service rules that is being jeopardised by this singular action of the Federal Ministry of Education.
“The concerned authorities as a matter of necessity should direct Dr. A.A Dzukogi to immediately vacate the Office of the Rector and Acting Rector be appointed as the staying of the former is illegal and contravenes the extant law.
“A machinery should be put in place for the appointment of a Substantive Rector for the Federal Polytechnic Bida in accordance to provisions of the Federal Polytechnic Act 2019, as amended.
“That our Union shall not rest on its ore until the law takes its course.”