Osun State Government on Thursday told staff and students of the State Polytechnic, Iree, to proceed on a two-week break, citing the resumption of the suspended Rector, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo, as the reason for its action.
Odetayo was suspended in July by the State Government on account of alleged financial recklessness and abuse of office and was subsequently replaced with Mr. Kehinde Adeyemi in an Acting capacity, while a committee was constituted to investigate allegations against him
But Odetayo on Thursday returned to the institution and resumed in his office.
Although the whereabouts of Adeyemi, the acting rector was not known as of the time Odetayo arrived at the campus of the polytechnic, a very reliable source in the institution said he was already on his way to work, when information got to him about the presence of Odetayo, forcing him to make a detour.
Odetayo’s return followed the decision of the Lagos Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which granted an interim order restraining Governor Ademola Adeleke and 14 others from appointing a rector for the institution.
Led into the premises by operatives of the Department of State Security, Odetayo was also accompanied by some associates and staff members, as he resumed in his office after prayers were offered by staff of the institution.
Addressing those who received him, Odetayo, who expressed surprise that he was suspended without being queried, said he returned to the school having secured an order of the court that restrained the governor from appointing another rector.
“I was really surprised when my suspension letter came in because prior to that, I didn’t receive any query or called for any meeting.
“I am resuming back to office because the court has given an injunction on the matter and there is a stay of execution.
“I know our governor is a listening person and I want to appreciate him for allowing the rule of law to take its course. I am back to continue working towards moving the polytechnic forward,” Odetayo said.
But the Acting Rector of the institution, Adeyemi, in a statement called for calm, describing Odetayo’s return as a ‘forceful invasion.’
The statement further read in parts, “Following the forceful invasion of the office of the Osun State Polytechnic Iree’s Rector, by the suspended Rector of the institution, as the Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, I appeal to members of the Polytechnic Community to remain calm.
“I urge you to remain calm and go about your normal duties without any protest. The government has taken steps to ensure that normalcy returns.”
Meanwhile, the state government shut down the institution for two weeks.
Announcing the closure in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, said, “This is to inform the general public, particularly members of staff and students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to proceed on two (2) weeks break with immediate effect.
“The immediate break is a necessary action to maintain peace in the institution following the forceful return of the suspended Rector, Dr. T.A. Odetayo.
“The general public should also note that school accounts have been frozen with immediate effect, and it is imperative that everyone cooperates fully and adheres to these directives.”