The recent transition of leadership at the Federal Polytechnic in Nasarawa State has ignited a storm of controversy as the immediate past rector, Abdullahi Alhassan Ahmed, hands over to an overseer, Obarakpo Samuel James, sparking concerns of a potential breach of the federal polytechnic act.
Amidst claims that Dr. Alhassan’s actions violate the established succession process, sources reveal that the former rector’s tenure concluded in December 2023, triggering the need for a seamless transition as per the Federal Polytechnic Act 2019.
Instead, Alhassan appointed James as an overseer, bypassing the expected handover to the most senior official in acting capacity.
A circular dated January 2, 2024, and signed by the Polytechnic’s Registrar, Munir Ahmed, officially announced James as the overseer, further intensifying discontent among top officials and causing tension within the institution.
Former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics at the institution, Hussaini Yusuf, expressed dismay, describing the situation as sad and unfortunate, potentially tarnishing the institution’s integrity.
As questions linger regarding the motives behind Alhassan’s unconventional handover, suspicions arise that it might be a strategic move to secure a return as acting rector for another six months, creating uncertainty within the Polytechnic’s governing structure.
Despite allegations of collusion and concerns about a potential power play, the Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Education, Benjamin Bem-Goong, dismissed the overseer designation as a new creation, insisting it has no place in the Federal Polytechnic Act.
In response to the allegations, Alhassan dismissed them as mere accusations from detractors, leaving the situation fraught with uncertainty as stakeholders await further directives from the Federal Ministry of Education.
