In a passionate letter delivered during a protest to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Asaba, concerned citizens of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom have appealed to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently dissolve the Governing Council of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, over what they described as the destabilizing actions of its chairman, Mr. Paul Adingwupu.
The protest, led by Comrade Humble Ochei, leader of the Concerned Youths of Ogwashi-Uku, with Comrade Tony Obichie as deputy leader, drew attention to what the group described as a “systematic campaign of harassment, intimidation, and administrative recklessness” that is threatening both the polytechnic and the wider Ogwashi-Uku community.
The protesters, citing growing unrest within the institution and the surrounding community, accused Mr. Adingwupu of overreaching his mandate, harassing polytechnic staff, and unilaterally running the institution “like a sole administrator.”
According to the protest letter addressed to the governor and made available to journalists, since Adingwupu’s appointment, peace has eluded both the polytechnic and the Ogwashi-Uku community.
“The management of the polytechnic is under constant threat as the chairman insists on running the polytechnic single-handedly,” the protest letter read.
“Official documents are being collected indiscriminately by the chairman and circulated within the town, allegedly to blackmail senior officials including the Rector.”
A particularly controversial decision that sparked outrage among community members was the recent suspension of the Polytechnic’s Registrar, Dr. Jude Okocha, an indigene of Ogwashi-Uku.
The group claimed this action was taken without due process, alongside the suspension of other key staff members, including the Deputy Registrar of Exams and Records, Charles Nduka.
The protesters revealed that the suspensions were not only irregular but were personally orchestrated by Mr. Adingwupu without proper Council approval or consultation with the institution’s management.
Further fueling the crisis is the appointment of an Acting Registrar, which the petitioners allege was predetermined and improperly executed to favor a candidate who previously lost out in the selection process.
“This abuse of power is not just a violation of laid-down procedures but a direct affront to the good governance principles Your Excellency stands for under the Renewed Hope for More Agenda,” the letter stated.
The group also criticized the Council’s mishandling of a certificate racketeering scandal that was reportedly brought to Mr. Adingwupu’s attention as early as June 2024. They claim he failed to act until the situation escalated into a broader crisis for the polytechnic.
The group is now calling on Governor Oborevwori to dissolve the current Council and reconstitute it with individuals who understand the responsibilities of institutional governance and are committed to collaborating with management for the institution’s development.
“There is palpable tension in the Polytechnic and in Ogwashi-Uku. Only your intervention by dissolving the Council can bring peace,” the statement noted.
The Delta State Government has not yet issued a formal response to the petition or the protest, but the situation at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku is rapidly becoming a test case for the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and grassroots development.
