The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bayelsa State Polytechnic branch, Aleibiri, has warned that it will rally members from polytechnics and other higher institutions throughout the South-South and South-East regions for a peaceful demonstration in Yenagoa unless the reinstatement of Dr. Wisdom Sori as Rector is rescinded.
The union accused the institution’s Governing Council of failing to follow due process as prescribed by the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Establishment Law 2014 in the process leading to Sori’s reappointment.
The threat came after ASUP began an indefinite withdrawal of services on Monday, August 10, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the authorities to reverse the appointment.
Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa on Tuesday, the ASUP Zonal Coordinator for the South-South and South-East, Dr Richard Illoma, said the union had presented evidence of what it described as serious breaches of the law to the state Commissioners for Education, Labour and Information.
The union’s concern centres on Sori, a former Rector who reportedly retired at the age of 68 in February 2024. His first tenure as Rector ended on June 19, 2026.
Illoma, however, noted that Section 8 of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic Establishment Law provides for a renewable four-year tenure. He said the reappointment was vetted by the state Attorney-General and subsequently approved by Governor Douye Diri, the Visitor to the Polytechnic.
Supporters of the reappointment have also pointed to achievements recorded during Sori’s first tenure, including the relocation of the institution to its permanent campus in Aleibiri, execution of TETFund projects and accreditation of more than 10 academic programmes.
However, ASUP maintained that the dispute did not stem from Sori’s track record or accomplishments, but from whether his re-appointment adhered strictly to the law.
The union alleged that the Governing Council failed to advertise the vacant position, constitute the required Search Team and establish the Joint Council and Academic Board Selection Board before recommending a candidate to the Visitor.
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According to ASUP, the law requires the selection process to produce three candidates for consideration by the Visitor.
The union said, “Apart from the retired status of the former Rector, which automatically bars him from applying, we make bold to state that Council fell short of the step-by-step procedures outlined in the Polytechnic Establishment Law on how a Rector can be appointed.”
ASUP additionally challenged the supposed backdating of Sori’s reappointment letter to June 21, 2026, contending that the action was intended to “wipe out the academic history” of the Interim Rector.
The union further warned that retaining a retired Rector could have consequences for the institution, particularly if regulatory and intervention agencies such as the National Board for Technical Education, Tertiary Education Trust Fund and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board become involved.
ASUP said it would continue its industrial action and consider wider mobilisation if the authorities fail to address its concerns.
