By Austin Ogwuda
….as Delta State Govt watches without a word
…. Youths of Ogwashi-Uku divided over the matter
IT is certainly clear that the ongoing infighting between the Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Council Chairman, Paul Adingwupu, Rector and Registrar of the institution is getting messier.
Already, Youths of the community are sharply divided; whilst Adingwupu is on one side, the embattled Rector and Registrar are on one side strategizing on how to use the media to absolve selves from the unearthed avalanche of scandals rocking the school including certificate racketeering, among others.
Barely a week passes without each faction allegedly hiding under the cover of acclaimed youth groups to attack each other.
The latest round of the melodrama came from Ogwashi Uku Youth Development Association, Comrade Stanley Chinedu in a statement on Monday, courtesy of The Tribune
Comrade Stanley Chinedu in that statement vehemently disassociated his members from a group called ‘Concerned Youths of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom’ led by one Comrade Humble Ochei which claimed that since the appointment of Mr. Adingwupu as Chairman of the Governing Council, both the Polytechnic and the surrounding Ogwashi-Uku community have experienced continuous unrest and administrative instability.
Rather, Chinedu stated that “We are deeply alarmed by the baseless claims made in a so-called petition titled ‘Save Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi Uku and the image of Ogwashi Uku kingdom’, reportedly submitted to His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori.
“This phantom petition was concocted and propagated by individuals with no legitimate affiliation to Ogwashi-Uku.
For the avoidance of doubt, Comrade Humble Ochei lacks the moral or cultural mandate to speak on behalf of our people.
“We remain fully committed to the rule of law and will never support any attempt to derail genuine administrative reforms in the Polytechnic or any public institution within Delta State.
“It is not in our position to meddle in the internal operations of government institutions, especially where such operations do not pose a threat to our community.
“What we are witnessing”, the statement continued, “is nothing more than corruption fighting back.
“For the record, Hon. (Pastor) Paul Adingwupu, Chairman of the Governing Council, has strong ties to Ogwashi Uku. His maternal lineage is rooted here, he owns property in the town and remains a respected figure in Aniocha South.
“Notably, it is on record that Pastor Adingwupu played a pivotal role, working in synergy with Chief James Onanefe Ibori, then Governor of Delta State, in the establishment of this same Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku in 2002.
“Therefore, there is no rational basis to accuse him of undermining the interests of the Ogwashi-Uku people. Such a narrative is deceptive, malicious, and should be discarded by all well-meaning citizens”, it added.
Recall that The Townhall recently ran this story:
Tension at Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic as the community youths accuse Governing Council Chairman, Adingwupu of allegedly running the school as a Sole Administrator
A group of Youths, styled ‘Concerned Youths of Ogwashi-Uku’ staged a peaceful protest march in Asaba on Wednesday, calling on the Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to dissolve the current Governing Council of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku following alleged gross abuse of power levelled against its Chairman, Mr. Paul Adingwupu.
The group who were prevented from storming Government House on the peaceful protest march retreated and addressed newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Press Centre.
Comrade Humble Ochei, leader of the Concerned Youths of Ogwashi-Uku, with Comrade Tony Obichie as deputy leader in a protest letter addressed to the governor and made available to Journalists lamented that since Adingwupu’s appointment, peace has eluded both the Polytechnic and the Ogwashi-Uku community.
They alleged that Adingwupu was overreaching his mandate, harassing polytechnic staff, unilaterally running the institution “like a Sole Administrator”.
According to them, “The management of the Polytechnic is under constant threat as the Chairman insists on running the Polytechnic single-handedly.
“Official documents are being collected indiscriminately by the Chairman and circulated within the town, allegedly to blackmail senior officials including the Rector”.
They referred to particular 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 aforementioned suspensions, according to them were not only irregular but were personally orchestrated by Mr. Adingwupu without proper Council approval or consultation with the institution’s management.
“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.
“There is palpable tension in the Polytechnic and in Ogwashi-Uku. Only your intervention by dissolving the Council can bring peace”, they stated.
The question now is: when will the Delta State government complete its investigation and come up with its position on the matter?
