An apolitical group, Afemai Renaissance, has
called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to be fair in the appointment of a substantive rector for the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State.
The Group’s call was contained in a statement by Mr. Yahaya Momodu, its convener and made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.
He also appealed to the institution’s Governing Council, to allow a level playing field for those shortlisted for the position.
He noted that skewing the process in favour of any particular candidate would take the Polytechnic back to the dark era.
According to him, the best candidate should be allowed to emerge as the substantive rector for the institution irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political inclination.
He however commended the good work of the Ag. Rector, Mr Mustapha Zubair, and urged him to continue in that stead until the appointment of a substantive rector.
“Auchi polytechnic cannot afford going back to the era of high-handedness and unprofessional conduct of any leader for now.
“The pitiable situation the staff and students of the polytechnic find themselves in the recent past is still fresh in our memories. The present peace we are enjoying now should not be truncated by enemy of progress.
“What we need at this time is the continuation of the leadership style of the present administration.
“This is a wake-up call to the Governing Council of AuchiPolytechnic, particularly the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, a former Minister of State for Labour and Employment not to succumb to the wishes of the enemy of progress and development.
“The entire Polytechnic Community is not losing hope on you especially going by what you said during the meeting between the Polytechnic Community and the Governing Council Members.
“We are really anticipating when a credible candidate will be appointed”.
Momodu however commended the good work of the Ag. Rector, Mr Mustapha Zubair, and urged him to continue in that stead until the appointment of a substantive rector.
He particular commended the acting rector’s focus on the rehabilitation and renovation of facilities that were vandalised during the 2016 riots and other abandon facilities which hitherto had been neglected by successful administrations.
On his part, Ahmed Muhammed, Secretary of the group, noted before Zubair took over mantle of leadership, Auchi Polytechnic was in a turbulent period.
“The period was painful and shameful indeed and in fact the high-handedness of the immediate past head of the polytechnic was highly lamentable.
But the Acting Rector remained undaunted and focused in his vision to build the polytechnic to greater heights.
“Without mincing words, the God sent Acting Rector is an agent of progress and father to all irrespective of tribe or religion.”
