Following alleged certificate racketeering at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, suspended its services on Tuesday for two weeks.
A whistleblower, Raphael Ufua, accused the institution of certificate racketeering, causing serious damage to the school.
Ufua alleged that the principal officers issued certificates to students who never attended the school.
However, announcing the strike, ASUP Chairman Dr Michael Ohana said the lingering issue of alleged result racketeering has brought the institution into disrepute and disrupted academic activities.
He said, “A serious cause for concern is how the yet-to-be-verified result racketeering issue has permeated social media, bringing staff and the institution into public disrepute.
“Our members are the worst hit. When we relate with the world outside, we are no longer able to proudly say we are staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. Meanwhile, within the work environment, the necessary supplies and resources that make teaching and learning possible have become a far cry.
“Following the state government’s refusal to act decisively on issues between the Governing Council and Management, despite several meetings and ultimatums, it has become imperative that the Union embarks on a two-week warning strike.
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“Recall that in February 2025, the Governing Council suspended the Registrar over unverified allegations of result racketeering without due diligence.
“Similarly, in July 2025, the Council suspended the Rector over unfounded accusations of financial impropriety, later repudiated by the governor as ultra vires.
“Despite relentless union efforts, these issues continue.
“Therefore, ASUP suspends its services to the state government for 14 days, hoping the government will consider reports from investigative committees rather than forming endless committees on this matter.
“The Nigerian Police must stop harassing staff, especially our members. Heads of Departments are being summoned to Abuja to answer for suspected forged student results.
“Government should call the Governing Council to order and duly communicate to them their mandates and functions. This is to make them operate in the manner that is expected of a Council that governs an academic institution, as obtainable with other tertiary institutions within and outside the state”
The ASUP called for the arrest and prosecution of the false whistleblower, Raphael Ufua, whose actions have brought disgrace and public disrepute upon the institution and staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku.
They stated that the alleged result racketeering, involving principal officers of the institution, had disgraced the image of the state institution, insisting that it was merely a case of result forgery perpetrated by individuals who are neither management staff nor principal officers of the institution.
PUNCH
