FEDPOLYADO workers beg FG to sack, investigate 'corrupt' rector

Academic and non-academic staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (FEDPOLYADO) have demanded the suspension and investigation of the institution's Rector, Dr. Taiwo Akande whom they accuse of corruption and mismanagement.

The workers, who staged a protest jointly organized by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) on Saturday, accuse Akande of embezzling N350 Million cooperative fund illegal pension deductions from contract workers’ benefits.

They blocked the institution's main entrance, leading to a shutdown, which their leaders said would remain until the Federal Government investigates and clears her of all allegations.

The chapter ASUP Chairman, Mr. Tunji Owoeye, urged the sack of the Rector.

“The polytechnic community is tired of her administration and leadership style. Several times she has tried to polarise the institution and de-unionise us, using devices including divide and rule and tribal sentiments," Oweye said.

“Most recent is the use of new workers against the old, which accounts for why she over-bloated the system with frivolous employments."

“As we speak, CONTISS 15 is operational in all the polytechnics, except Federal Polytechnic, Ado- Ekiti. She cajoled us in October 2013, promising to start when the finances improved, but only to tell us that there was no such plan for us.”

Owoeye asked the Minister of Education Ibrahim Shekarau to suspend the Rector for investigations into the allegations.

Supporting Owoeye's position, the Chairman of NASU, Adekunle Adeniyi, alleged that Akande discriminated, placing workers in the same cadre on different grade levels based on the fraternity with her, and thereby causing dissent among the workers.

“We want the Federal Government to set up a panel to investigate the activities of the management. Pending that time, we appeal to the Minister of Education to suspend Dr. Akande to prevent the investigations from being impeded,” Adeniyi said.

The embattled rector however said the allegations levelled against her are false and motivated by a hidden agenda.

She said her administration operated transparently and advised the workers to wait for the outcome of investigations before taking drastic decisions.

The workers have downed tools to force Akande's removal.

But she urged them follow due process and dialogue instead of being confrontation.