Members of the Academic Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, on Tuesday, staged a protest at the entrance to the institution, demanding the reversal of the suspension of the Rector, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo.
Appointed the sixth substantive Rector of the Polytechnic by the immediate past Governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, Odetayo’s appointment was reversed by Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after he took over, alongside others done by his predecessor.
The letter suspending Odetayo dated July 11, 2023 partly read, “You are hereby suspended as the Rector of Osun State Polytechnic, sequel to the strong allegations of financial recklessness, corruption, misappropriation of funds, abuse of office among others.”
The government, however, immediately announced the appointment of Mr. Kehinde Alabi, as acting Rector of the institution.
Reacting to the development, the protesters led by Ospoly ASUP Chairman, Mr Fatai Afolabi, insisted that the replacement for Odetayo was unqualified for the post.
“The governor appointed someone who is not qualified to head the institution. The person that the governor appointed contested the post of deputy rector and lost out.
“He has a deputy on ground who should replace him if he is removed. That is what the guidelines say, and in the absence of the deputy, the most senior chief lecturer will be appointed as acting Rector.
“The order given to the Rector goes beyond the capacity of the Rector because it is by election. When they voted, the government anointed candidate got 19 votes, while the winner, who is the most senior chief lecturer on campus got 51 votes. The state of things in Iree now is that all academic activities including the ongoing exam stand suspended”, Afolabi stated. OYO NEWS