Delta Commissioner, Rector, Board On Warpath Over Control Of Polytechnic

A Delta State commissioner, the state polytechnic rector and the institution’s Governing Council are drawn a battle line over the control of the school.

The power tussle among the commissioner of the Ministry of Higher Education, Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari, the rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu, and the chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Paul Adingwupu, is said to be affecting the administration of the institution.

While Achuenu was initially suspended for six months from July 4, 2025, on allegations of gross misconduct and financial impropriety, Adingwupu, Tonukari, have formally reinstated the suspended rector.

The suspension letter stated that the rector had refused to appear before the Governing Council and instructed him to hand over all polytechnic property to the deputy rector.

However, the commissioner maintained that following a review of the circumstances surrounding the rector’s suspension, the move to suspend himfell short of established legal procedures.

The reinstatement, which was announced through an official ministry communication, followed due consideration of reports and findings that supported the polytechnic’s Governing Council’s decision to suspend Achuenu.

According to the commissioner, the ministry found no substantial justification to uphold the suspension, and, therefore, directed that Achuenu resume his duties immediately as the rector of the institution.

While acknowledging the role of the Governing Council in overseeing the polytechnic’s affairs, Tonukari stressed the importance of following due process and ensuring that disciplinary actions are guided by fairness, transparency and existing regulations.

He also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to maintaining stability, accountability and excellence in the administration of all tertiary institutions in the state, urging all the stakeholders at the polytechnic to work in unity and avoid actions that could derail academic and administrative progress.

“While the ministry appreciates the council’s commitment to upholding discipline and accountability in the Polytechnic, it is imperative to underscore that all disciplinary actions, especially those affecting principal officers of the Polytechnic, must strictly comply with relevant provisions of the law establishing the Polytechnic, as well as the Terms and Conditions of Service applicable to principal officers.

“Specifically, the council’s attention is drawn to the following statutory provisions: Part IV, Section 17(1) of the law establishing the Polytechnic clearly outlines the hierarchical precedence in the Polytechnic.

“The Chairman of Council shall, about the Polytechnic, take precedence over all members of the Polytechnic except the Visitor and the Rector, except when acting as Chairman of the Congregation or Convocation or in the course of performing his academic and executive functions.”