Crisis has embroiled the running of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, over the rectorship of the institution. TOBA ADEDEJI reports.
In the last two months, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, has been in crisis over the suspension of its substantive rector, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo and appointment of Ede-born Kehinde Alabi, in acting capacity.
Before the crisis, former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola appointed Odetayo after approval by the Governing Council of the institution as acting rector on June 21, 2022.
Findings by The Nation revealed that the government did not want to confirm Odetayo as the substantive rector over alleged political statement he made ahead of 2022 Osun State governorship election held on July 16, 2022.
It was gathered that his voice was allegedly recorded where he was condemning Adeleke’s candidacy in the presence of a small group of people. The source said: “Odetayo said, why must electorate of Osun State vote for a dancer? Other candidates are still fine, but why must we vote a dancer as governor?”
The statement he made ahead of the election hunted him after Adeleke was sworn in as governor in November 2022. The governor reversed the appointments made by Oyetola, which affected Odetayo last year.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that many prominent stakeholders in the state intervened to ensure that Odetayo is reinstated. In March 2023, Odetayo was confirmed as the substantive rector by Adeleke without following due process and without the approval of the governing council. He resumed duty accordingly.
After the bickering was resolved, it was alleged that the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Teslim Igbalaye, summoned Odetayo to his residence in Ede, demanding that he should make Alabi deputy rector of the school.
However, Odetayo explained to him that the position of deputy rector is an elective position and those who are qualified to vote are Chief Lecturers, Head of Departments, Dean of Faculties and other top unit heads. He noted that he did not have the power to sway or influence those that will vote in favour of Alabi.
But, the COS insisted that Odetayo should try all within his reach to ensure Alabi is made the deputy rector. It was reliably gathered that that five candidates contested for the position. The contenders are Alabi (government anointed candidate), Dr. Alaje Daniel, Dr. Olawoyin Azeez Olakunle, Dr. Oyeleke Gboyega and Awofadeju Ayinde, an engineer.
At the end of the poll on June 22, 2023, Alabi scored nine votes, Dr. Alaje got two votes, Dr. Olawoyin polled four votes, Dr. Gboyega garnered 51 votes and Ayinde got 19. All the contenders signed the result paper and Dr. Gboyega was announced as the deputy rector.
This infuriated the state government because its anointed candidate was defeated. Alabi’s loss was termed as betrayal and Odetayo’s exit was planned.
Subsequently, the government purchased official vehicle for the rector, while accusing Odetayo of shady transactions in the purchase of the car. Hence, he was accused of corruption, abuse of office and suspended. Thereafter, Alabi was announced as the acting rector.
Odetayo’s suspension sparked protests in the school as members of Academic Staff Union, led by Dr. Fatai Afolabi, and students protested. They called for reinstatement of the substantive rector.
Afolabi kicked against the process that led to Odetayo’s suspension without fair hearing and query.
He said: “The governor appointed someone who is not qualified as the acting rector. The person that the governor appointed contested for the post of deputy rector and lost out.
“We have a deputy rector on ground who should replace him if the rector is removed; that is what the guidelines say, and in absence of deputy rector, the most senior chief lecturer will be appointed as acting rector. The person that was appointed among the chief lecturers is not ranked from one to 50. The only thing that qualifies him is that he is from Ede. The governor is nepotistic with appointment and dealings in Iree Poly. The governor wants to put Ede indigenes everywhere in the school, which is not possible.”
“Is it only Ede that voted for him? Everybody voted for him. Odetayo, who was removed, was accused of corruption, among others. He was never made to face any panel or enquiry. He was never issued query. The main reason for his removal was that he was invited by the Chief of Staff to the governor, who instructed him to make the person they appointed as acting rector now the deputy rector. The order given to the rector goes beyond the capacity of the rector because it is by election. When they voted, the anointed candidate of the Chief of Staff got 19 votes while the winner, who is the most senior chief lecturer on campus, got 51.”
However, the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Dipo Eluwole, denied the allegations made by the ASUP Chair. He said the government acted right to prevent crisis in school.
“This government is acting because of a petition that was received against Odetayo. ‘’We have to look at it and investigate the allegations to forestall the crisis in the school.
“There must be quick action. For every issue, there are two sides. Some people may support the removal while some may oppose it. So, when the allegation was levelled against him, the best thing to do is to suspend him and investigate the matter. We must not allow vacuum and that is why we appointed someone in acting capacity. The person that was appointed as the acting rector is eminently qualified. He will be in charge till government concludes the investigation and release white paper on the issue,” he said.
Reacting about the deputy rector taking over the affairs of the institution and allegations against COS, he said: “The deputy rector of the institution is still under consideration; he is yet to be confirmed for that office. The issue is not connected to any bidding of the government. Government has no hand in the administration of the institution. I don’t know the suspended rector. I don’t think the PS knows him; we are both new here. The interest of the government in the school is harmony and peace. I am assuring the students and staff that the issue will be resolved soon.”
But, the institution’s workers have embarked on indefinite strike to press home their demands. The state government threatened them with “no work no pay policy”. Hence, some staff resumed while others stayed at home.
Since the strike, academic activities have been affected owing to factionalisation of ASUP union’s leadership.
The Chairman of the Governing Board, Diran Ayanbeku, had on August 8, 2023 inaugurated a panel chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Education, Mr. Muritala Jimoh, who signed Odetayo’s suspension letter.
The board chair gave the panel two-week timeline to submit the report and invite the affected stakeholders.
Meanwhile, findings by The Nation revealed that the panel did not invite the petitioner to defend the petition as well as Odetayo to defend himself.
A source among the members of the panel disclosed that the panel later sent an invitation letter to Odetayo at noon on Saturday, August 19, a day after the deadline given to the panel to investigate but nobody was in the house to receive the letter.
When contacted, Dr. Ezekiel Alabi, a representative of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Osun State OSPOLY chapter, confirmed that neither Odetayo, nor the petitioner were invited by the panel.
Another source close to Odetayo revealed that “the state government released N27 million to Odetayo to purchase 2022 Toyota Corolla official car”. When the purchasing team got to the market, they bought Jeep of 2018 model, which cost N21 million. The remaining balance, some people in the system wanted to embezzle because they were nearing retirement. The rector insisted that the money should be returned to the government. It was gathered that that was where his problem started coupled with his reneging on agreement with government on deputy rectorship post.”
When Odetayo was contacted on phone, he explained that he decided to challenge his suspension because he felt cheated.
He said: “I felt cheated over my suspension and I decided to approach the court over the matter. I approached Industrial Court through my counsel, Rasheed Adeniyi, on August 21, 2023. Justice O. A. Ogunbowale, who presided over the matter in Lagos, granted the order sought by me and restrained the state government and its agents from acting on the matter pending the determination of the suit before it.”
On Thursday, Odetayo resumed at the school with the restraining order, which he showed the Chief Security Officer before he was allowed to resume office amid jubilation.
Thereafter, the state government shut the school and ordered that its account be frozen.
The state government through Eluwole, announced the closure of the school, saying: “This is to inform the general public, particularly members of staff and students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to proceed on two weeks break with immediate effect.
“The immediate break is a necessary action to maintain peace in the institution following the forceful return of the suspended rector, Dr. T.A. Odetayo.
“The general public should also note that school accounts have been frozen with immediate effect, and it is imperative that everyone cooperates fully and adheres to these directives.”
With that the school remains shut.
