In a heated confrontation that has drawn in the House of Representatives, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Kaduna Polytechnic chapter, has vehemently opposed the alleged sale of the institution’s properties by its management.
The controversy centers around accusations that the administration has been selling staff houses and land parcels in Kaduna, sparking outrage among lecturers and staff.
ASUP Chairman, Abubakar Jibrin Abdullahi, voiced the union’s strong disapproval, stating unequivocally, “ASUP is against the sales of Kaduna Polytechnic institutional properties be it within or outside the institution.”
This stance follows a resolution from an emergency Congress meeting held on December 6, 2022, which declared that the polytechnic’s properties should not be sold “now or in the future.”
Recounting a historical perspective, Abdullahi recalled a 2011 visit from Former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Amma Peppe, who clearly stated that the institution’s properties were not for sale, emphasizing their importance for future expansion and development. “It was meant for expansion and for future development for the generation yet unborn,” he noted, underscoring the long-term vision for the institution’s assets.
Despite previous directives against such sales, Abdullahi lamented that current management and some staff residents are attempting to exploit a 2005 Monetization policy to justify the sales.
“This time around, the management and some of the staff resident in the quarters wanted to defraud the institution from its asset under the pretest of Monetization policy of 2005 Lagos Nigeria,” he said.
The union’s efforts to halt the sales included a direct appeal to the Honourable Minister of Education, resulting in a reply from the permanent secretary affirming that the properties are not for sale or lease.
Yet, Abdullahi expressed frustration that these directives were ignored, prompting the union to escalate the matter to the Federal High Court in Kaduna. He accused both the management and involved parties of orchestrating a calculated attempt to misappropriate the institution’s assets.
“To the best of our knowledge, Only Mr President has the power to lease or sell FGN properties,” Abdullahi asserted, challenging the legitimacy of any sales without presidential authorization. The union has also brought the issue to the National Assembly, seeking justice amidst growing tensions between staff, outsiders, and the polytechnic management.
Rector Suleiman Umar, on the other hand, maintained that the management had defended itself before lawmakers and reassured that petitioning staff would not face retribution.
“The issue is still ongoing before the House,” he stated, leaving the resolution of this contentious matter yet to be determined.
