The National Association of Nigerian Students has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the appointment of a substantive rector for the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Anambra State is based on merit, rather than influenced by external pressures.
NANS alleged that a certain group, which has hindered the institution’s progress and misappropriated its resources, is attempting to disrupt a recently concluded rector selection process.
Speaking at a press conference in Awka on Thursday, the Southeast Coordinator of NANS, Zone F, Charles Ijeomah, stated that 18 candidates had been shortlisted for the selection interview.
Ijeomah, flanked by other members of the association, claimed that “faceless” individuals, falsely presenting themselves as alumni, have been submitting petitions to obstruct the selection process.
He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a series of petitions, open letters, and agitations against appointing a substantive rector for Federal Polytechnic, Oko. Our independent enquiries have revealed that the recently concluded rector selection process by the governing council, led by Senator Barnabas Gemade, was transparent and competitive. It has been praised as one of the best in recent rector selection processes for Nigerian polytechnics.
“All 18 shortlisted candidates for the interview were highly qualified. The current petitions and agitations are the work of mischief-makers and individuals who do not have the institution’s best interests at heart.
“Our environmental study further indicates that certain cabal members who have long held back the institution’s progress and misused its resources are behind these baseless attempts to undermine a fair and recently concluded selection process.”
They urged the public to disregard the petitions, open letters, and court actions initiated by these individuals falsely claiming to represent the alumni.
They continued, “In view of the foregoing, we recommend as follows: the appointment of a substantive rector for Federal Polytechnic, Oko, should be based on merit to uphold the integrity of public office appointments and align with the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Secondly, the federal character principle should be applied in this appointment to ensure fairness.
“Thirdly, the Minister of Education should be informed in his recommendation to the President on this appointment; hence, all agitations and open letters intended to blackmail or disrupt the recently concluded selection process are baseless.
“We therefore call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to appoint the substantive rector of Oko Polytechnic based on merit; let the best candidate win.”
The group stated that such an appointment would promote academic excellence, restore order, and revitalise the institution, which has been undermined by individuals not acting in the students’ best interests.
Ijeomah also urged Tinubu and the South-East governors to address the poor road conditions in the South-East and review the transportation scheme for tertiary students to improve their ease of movement and ensure their safety.