The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku chapter, has declared a two-week warning strike over the state government’s continued silence on the release of a white paper regarding the lingering dispute between the institution’s management and its governing council.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its chairman, Michael Ogana, the union said the industrial action became necessary following the government’s failure to address the protracted crisis that has crippled academic and administrative activities in the polytechnic for several months.
The statement, titled “The Lingering Issue of Alleged Result Racketeering That Has Brought Our Institution to Disrepute and Disrupted the Smooth Running of Academic Activities,” criticised the Delta State Government for what the union described as “a deliberate attempt to ignore the rot and mismanagement festering within the institution.”
According to ASUP, despite multiple meetings involving the chapter’s executive council, the polytechnic’s management, and state officials — as well as numerous ultimatums — the government has remained unresponsive.
“The union has resolved to embark on a two-week warning strike in the first instance to press home our demands,” the statement read.
The crisis, which stems from allegations of result racketeering, has reportedly deepened divisions between the governing council and the institution’s management.
ASUP recalled that in February 2025, the council suspended the institution’s registrar over alleged result manipulation without proper investigation, using a letter signed by the council chairman. In July 2025, the same council suspended the rector over accusations of financial impropriety — a move later nullified by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who described the action as “ultra vires and illegal.”
The union said the conflict between the governing council and management had “almost brought the institution to a halt for over eight months,” while the alleged racketeering scandal has damaged the school’s reputation.
Read also:
- Crisis deepens at Delta Poly Ogwashi-Uku as Governing Council defies Commissioner, upholds Rector’s suspension over alleged misconduct
- Delta deputy governor promises steady power supply in Ndokwa
- Tragedy in Delta: Vigilante Officer guns down Ogwashi-Uku Poly Student while studying for exams
“Our members can no longer boldly identify themselves as staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku,” ASUP lamented, adding that essential supplies and learning materials have become scarce.
ASUP listed several demands, including: The immediate release of the government’s white paper on the matter; The dissolution and reconstitution of the current governing council; Consideration of reports by earlier investigative committees; An end to police harassment of staff, especially heads of departments being summoned to Abuja over alleged forged results; The reinstatement and full compensation of the suspended registrar; and The arrest and prosecution of a whistleblower, identified as Raphael Ufua, accused of making false allegations that damaged the institution’s image.
The union also called on the Delta State Ministry of Higher Education to intervene decisively to restore normalcy and protect the integrity of the institution.
ASUP warned that failure to act within the two-week strike period could result in a total shutdown of the polytechnic.
