In a significant development at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede in Owerri, Imo State, six senior staff members have formally petitioned the federal government, calling for a new and transparent recruitment process for the position of rector.
This petition, submitted on Sunday, highlights serious concerns regarding the integrity of the current selection process.
The petitioners, who have all applied for the substantive rector position, include Uzoma Ibeja, Christopher Onyiemenonu, Lilian Esiagu, Catherine Nwachukwu, Okafo Okereaffia, and Chinwe Okpoechi.
They have directed their grievances to the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, emphasizing the need for immediate action to rectify the situation.
According to the petitioners, they were shortlisted for an interview scheduled for August 6, 2024, but were unexpectedly required to sit for an examination instead, which they argue violates the provisions of the Polytechnics Act 2019 (As Amended). They raised concerns about the qualifications of the resource person brought in to oversee the examination, asserting that the process was fundamentally flawed and the results produced should not be deemed valid.
Compounding their concerns, the petitioners revealed that four out of the seven members of the selection board had previously recommended halting the examination due to observed anomalies.
They criticized the lack of proper documentation, stating that there was no collation of results or any formal reports generated from the exercise, which were supposed to be presented to the governing council.
The petitioners categorically dissociated themselves from any purported results related to the rector position that may have been submitted to the Federal Ministry of Education by the Chairman of the Governing Council.
They urged Mamman to reject these results, aligning their request with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to uphold due process, which was emphasized during his visit to the institution a year ago.
In conclusion, the staff members are advocating for a fresh interview process that adheres to established legal frameworks, ensuring that the selection of a new rector is conducted fairly and without reproach. Their call for transparency and accountability in the recruitment process reflects broader concerns about governance and integrity within educational institutions in Nigeria.