Fresh allegations of administrative misconduct have emerged against Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, over disputed transfers of secondary school principals and alleged interference in the statutory responsibilities of the Post-Primary Education Board (PPEB). The claims were made by an unnamed source and have not been independently verified.
Key Highlights
- An unnamed source alleged that recent principal transfers disregarded seniority and established procedures.
- The source alleged that financial considerations influenced some postings, but supplied no documentary evidence.
- Some affected principals reportedly appealed or resisted the transfers.
- Ashibogwu and the PPEB were contacted for comment; no response had been received at filing.
- The transfer allegations have not been linked by evidence to the separate investigation into a deputy director’s death.
Alleged Irregular Transfers Raise Concerns
A source familiar with the disputed postings alleged that Ashibogwu, working with the PPEB Permanent Secretary and some Board members, had taken control of the transfer and posting of secondary school principals.
The source said the commissioner supervises the Board and should not take over its administrative functions. The source further alleged that some postings disregarded seniority and established civil service procedures, raising concerns among affected school administrators.
Seniority Questions Emerge Over Principal Postings
The source cited several examples of alleged irregularities. One case involved a Level 16 officer appointed in 2019 who was reportedly posted to Ogbe Secondary School to replace another Level 16 principal appointed in 2016.
The affected principal reportedly appealed to the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission but was later directed to take over from another Level 16 officer appointed in 2014 at Steel Secondary School.
Similar concerns were reportedly raised over postings involving Kokori Mixed Secondary School and Ohorhe Secondary School. According to the source, principals appointed in 2014 and 2015 were allegedly replaced by officers appointed in 2019.
Level 17 Officer Also Allegedly Affected
Another disputed posting reportedly involved a Level 17 officer transferred from Ughevwughe Secondary School to Arhavwarien Secondary School in Ughelli South Local Government Area. The source alleged that a junior officer was subsequently assigned to the officer’s former school.
Some affected officers have reportedly refused to hand over their schools or resume at their new duty posts. The source said the situation could disrupt the administration of the affected schools if it is not resolved.
Financial Inducement Claim Remains Unsubstantiated
The source further alleged that financial considerations may have influenced some of the disputed transfers. No documentary evidence was provided to support the financial-inducement allegation.
The source questioned why seniority and what it described as an established five-year benchmark for transferring principals were allegedly being disregarded, and accused the commissioner and some Board officials of favouring certain officers. These claims have not been independently established.
Source Calls for Governor’s Intervention
The source called on Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to investigate the disputed postings and protect any principals affected by the decisions from victimisation. It also urged the PPEB to assert its statutory authority and ensure future transfers follow applicable rules.
A transparent review could establish whether the disputed transfers complied with civil service rules and whether the PPEB’s responsibilities were observed. The allegations remain claims by an unnamed source; no transfer documents or independent corroboration were provided to this publication.
Ashibogwu Asked to Respond
Ashibogwu and the PPEB were contacted for their response to the allegations of financially induced transfers, interference in the Board’s responsibilities and breaches of administrative procedures. No response had been received at the time of filing. Any response will be reflected in an update.
The transfer allegations are separate from the investigation into the death of Deputy Director Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda. Delta State has announced an administrative panel to probe the death, while police are conducting a separate investigation, according to a report on the government’s inquiry. No evidence presented in the transfer claims connects the postings to the death.
Read also:
- Delta Govt Sets Up Panel to Probe Death of Deputy Director Adeda Ekwevbughe
- Delta NLC Declares Indefinite Strike Over Death of Senior Civil Servant
Questions Over Transfer Procedures
The allegations have renewed questions about the process for transferring principals in Delta State’s public secondary school system, including how seniority, transfer guidelines and the respective roles of the ministry and PPEB are applied.
Attention is expected to remain on the response of the Delta State Government, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the PPEB. Follow us on X for updates.
By Gabriel Elozino
