ASUP Offa victimisation claim deepens as the union alleges unfair treatment of its executives, while management insists investigations follow due process

ASUP Offa victimisation claims have stirred tensions at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) accused the institution’s management of targeting its executives under the guise of disciplinary proceedings.

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In a strongly worded statement on Monday, ASUP Offa Chairman, Dr Idowu Atilola, alleged that six executive members had been summoned before the Senior Staff Investigation and Disciplinary Committee (SSIDC) on charges related to union activities that occurred nearly six months ago.

According to Atilola, the renewed disciplinary action contradicts a memorandum of understanding previously reached between the union and management, which included a non-victimisation clause following a dispute over delayed promotion arrears.

“This development is a clear breach of honour and integrity,” he said, warning that the union would adopt “a firmer posture” if the invitations were not withdrawn within 24 hours.

He argued that the management’s latest move suggested bad faith and an attempt to silence union voices.

The ASUP chapter recalled that in May 2025, it had directed members to withdraw from examination duties over issues including unpaid arrears and alleged diversion of staff entitlements.

The dispute had briefly disrupted semester examinations before being resolved through dialogue involving the Governing Council and Deans.

However, the management of the institution has denied any act of victimisation, describing the disciplinary summons as part of a fact-finding process mandated by the Governing Council.

In a Tuesday statement, the school’s spokesman, Iroye Yinka, said the committee’s work was to determine the extent of damages and establish accountability after a student petition described the May disruption as “academic sabotage.”

“The SSIDC’s invitation is not an act of victimisation but a due administrative process in line with public service regulations,” the statement read.

Yinka explained that several meetings had been held before the disruption, during which management addressed most of ASUP’s demands, including the payment of outstanding allowances and arrears of the CONTISS 15 adjustment.

The statement further cited reports of exam papers being seized and destroyed by some ASUP members, which management said amounted to gross misconduct and vandalism.

Referencing the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the management added that the regulatory body had condemned ASUP’s earlier actions, describing them as “indefensible.”

Despite the controversy, management reaffirmed its commitment to staff welfare, transparency, and industrial harmony, stressing that disciplinary processes were necessary to uphold institutional integrity.

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For now, the rift between the union and management remains unresolved, raising fears of renewed industrial tension on campus if both sides fail to find common ground.