Mapoly ASUP begins indefinite strike over alleged mass sack

The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta chapter of the Academic Staff ‎Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) yesterday commenced an indefinite strike over alleged plans by the Ogun State government to sack them.

It alleged that the planned sack was to pave way for the employment of new staff for the newly established Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology that was recently approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Chairman of the Transition Committee, Professor Peter Okebukola had invited ‎ASUP executive to a meeting on Monday where he allegedly ordered the staff to resign and re-apply for possible reappointment.

But at an emergency congress in Abeokuta, the ASUP opposed the committee’s decision, saying that the committee did not discuss the issue with them before arriving at its conclusion.

Speaking to journalists after congress at the Union’s Secretariat in Abeokuta, its chairman, Kola Abiola, explained that‎ as major stakeholders, members of the union gathered to discuss the status of their‎ employment in the polytechnic

He said the transition committee was making attempts to, as they put it, “shave our hair in our absence,” without considering their plight.

“We had said at a different forum that the conversion of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic to a University was long overdue. At that time, we lauded Governor Ibikunle Amosun and we are still him for having the political will to do what he promised during his campaigns.

“We met with Okebukola and part of what we said was that we only have road side teachers. The congress has, therefore, directed that we suspend all academic activities until we are properly briefed as to what is happening in the institutions,” he added.

But Okebukola, who spoke on the telephone denied the allegations, saying that the committee had not issued any document or instruction to anybody on the issues being raised by the ASUP.

He assured that he would ensure that no member of staff was disengaged, as well as ensure that the NUC standard was not compromised.

“ASUP is just speculating. Some committees will present their reports after today’s meeting where we will decide on the next line of action. They are only being preemptive and that is quite unfortunate,” he said.