The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has ignored the order of President Muhammadu Buhari which approved the appointment of Dr Raji Sarafa Adebayo as the new Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Offa in Kwara State.
The issue has now become a subject of power
tussle between President Buhari, his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari
and the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, according to documents made available
to DAILY POST.
The institution has operated without a
substantive rector for a whole academic session, while the recent death of the
registrar of the school, Mr Adetunji Oni, has further thrown the institution
into disarray, with major academic and administrative issues put on hold, an
authoritative source disclosed.
Oni, who died on August 19, held the fort
with the expiration of the tenure of the acting registrar, Dr Larongbe Akanbi
Afolabi, who took over from the immediate past rector, Dr Lateef Olatunji on
January 31st, 2022.
However, since Afolabi’s tenure expired in
July 2022, without renewal or extension by the parent Federal Ministry of
Education, students’ results could not be considered or certificates issued as
a result of the absence of a substantive rector of the institution, according
to the source.
The source revealed that after the
conclusion of the recent appointment processes by the statutory bodies, three
names were forwarded to the education minister, based on their performance in
the interview for a new rector of the school.
The three names are Dr Raji Sarafa Adebayo,
Dr Kadiri Kamaru and Dr Akinde Mukail Aremu.
Documents on the issue showed that 28
applicants were shortlisted and interviewed for the vacant position of rector.
Dr Raji emerged first, scoring 80.8 over
100, while Dr Kadiri, came second with 79.9 and Dr Akinde scored 75.4 to emerge
third.
Following the recommendation of the
Governing Council of the institution, the education minister, however, in a
twist of event, recommended Dr Kadiri who came second for appointment as the
new rector in a letter dated February 1st, 2022.
President Buhari reportedly faulted the
recommendation of the education minister and instructed his Chief of Staff,
Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, to transmit his approval of Dr Raji as the
next rector of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, in a letter dated March 30th, 2022.
The letter, signed by Professor Gambari and
addressed to the education minister stated, “with reference to your letter
DHE/POLYXV/CI/V11/781, dated February 1st,2022, I write to convey to you Mr
President’s approval for the appointment of Dr Raji Sarafa Adebayo on merit as
the rector of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, for a single term of five
years with effect from 28th March, 2022.”
The education minister was yet to honour
the presidential order at the time of this report and failed to explain reason
for his action, just as concerns have been raised over whether merit has been
jettisoned for other political considerations.
Statutorily, Section 8(3)(d)8(4) of the
Polymerization Act 2019 is clear on the appointment of a new rector.
The Act, says “A joint council, Academic
Board, Congregation and Selection Board shall consider the candidates on the
shortlist drawn up under subsection (2)(a)(11) through an examination of their
curriculum vitae and interaction with them and recommend in order of
performance ranking, through the governing body to the president, three
candidates for his consideration.
“Subsection (4), concluded that the
President shall appoint as rector one of the candidates recommended to him
under subsection (3).”