Stakeholders of the Academic staff union of polytechnic, ASUP, has distanced itself from the invasion of the examination halls and consequent disruption and destruction of examination materials by suspected members of the union at the federal polytechnic Offa.
Sequel to trending videos where atmosphere at the polytechnic was thrown into disarray, the Union disowned the perpetrators claiming that the congress of the union was not involved in the action.
In short videos circulated online, students sitting for the 2024/2025 first semester examination were seen shouting while their booklets were being thrown out by the unionists.
Some of the demonstrators were shouting in the background “Be at alert, I had warned you” while they continued to throw the booklets in the air.
Another one was seen on the roof of a building holding remnants of the scattered papers which led to an abrupt cancellation of the exercise.
Reason for the demonstration remained unknown as no official statement preceded the protest. However sources within the union suggested a possible financial misunderstanding between the union and the management.
A former ASUP chairman who preferred anonymity noted that the demonstration lacked civility and may bring the prestigious union into disrepute.
He identified Mr Yemi Alabi, ASUP Vice Chairman, Mr. Lukman Raji, Secretary. He added that it was a few-men show without due recourse to the position of ASUP FEDPOFFA.
He called on relevant stakeholders to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.
“They did not carry the congress of the union along with this barbaric display and all of us are in rude shock with the level of destruction and disruption they caused in the fastest growing polytechnic in Nigeria.
“I called on all relevant stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to investigate this in a bid to ensure justice for the students and federal government properties destroyed by the extremist.” He said.
Some alumni of the school via social media expressed their disappointment in the manner of expressions adopted by the union to demand their needs.
They frowned that the school should not be dragged into public disrepute so as to maintain the dignity of certificate holders in the labour market.
The students who were obviously stranded may be relieved as late reports indicate that management and the union have resolved their differences and examination will continue tomorrow.
Efforts to reach the ASUP chairman, Mr Atilola proved abortive as he did not respond to messages sent to him while his number was unreachable as at the time of filing the report.
