The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku chapter, has declared a two-week warning strike over alleged certificate racketeering and what it described as the state government’s failure to address governance issues within the institution.
The strike, which commenced on Tuesday, follows allegations made by a whistleblower, Raphael Ufua, who accused some principal officers of the Polytechnic of issuing certificates to individuals who never attended the institution, a claim that has since stirred public controversy and drawn widespread criticism online.
Speaking at a press briefing, ASUP Chairman, Dr. Michael Ohana, said the allegations had tarnished the reputation of the Polytechnic and subjected staff to public ridicule.
“A serious cause for concern is how the yet-to-be-verified result racketeering issue has permeated social media, bringing staff and the institution into public disrepute,” Ohana said. “Our members are the worst hit. When we relate with people outside, we can no longer proudly say we are staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.”
He lamented that despite several meetings and ultimatums, the state government had failed to take decisive action on the lingering issues between the institution’s Governing Council and management.
“Following the government’s refusal to act decisively, it has become imperative that the Union embarks on a two-week warning strike,” he stated.
The union chairman recalled that in February 2025, the Governing Council suspended the Polytechnic Registrar over unverified allegations of result racketeering, while in July, the Rector was similarly suspended on accusations of financial impropriety both of which were later discredited.
Ohana noted that the state government’s repeated formation of committees without implementing the findings of previous investigations had further deepened the crisis.
He also condemned the alleged harassment of staff by security agencies, saying that “Heads of Departments are being summoned to Abuja to answer for suspected forged student results,” and called on the government to “call the Governing Council to order and clearly define their mandates and functions.”
ASUP further demanded the arrest and prosecution of the whistleblower, Raphael Ufua, accusing him of spreading falsehoods that have “brought disgrace and public disrepute upon the institution.”
The union maintained that the alleged certificate scandal was the handiwork of individuals outside the management structure and not the principal officers as claimed.
ASUP’s two-week warning strike, it said, is intended to compel the state government to restore order, protect the integrity of the institution, and act on existing investigative reports rather than establishing “endless committees.”
