Afemai Peoples Movement (APM) has dissociated itself from protest demanding Edo North Origin Rector for Federal Polytechnic, Auchi.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Afemai Peoples Movement (APM) has disassociated itself from a purported protest organised by some individuals who tagged themselves “Edo North Civil Rights Organisation led by one Mr Excellence Oka Isibo demanding for a rector of Edo North origin for Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Southern Nigeria.
APM, in a statement by its President-General, Engr M.S Osikhotse, said the present occupant of the rectorship position is doing well and are asking that he be confirmed as the substantive Rector of the institution.
The group called on the President not to listen “to these narrow-minded tribalists kicking against a man who has brought about unprecedented peace and cooperation that have eluded Auchi Polytechnic.”
The statement read, “We, the Afemai people’s Movement, wish to use this medium to disassociate ourselves from a purported protest organised by some individuals who tagged themselves. “Edo North Civil Rights Organisation led by one Mr Excellence Oka Isibo demanding a rector of Edo North origin.
“We want to say without mincing words that the present occupant of the rectorship position(in an acting capacity) is doing well.
“Therefore, we are asking that he be confirmed as the substantive Rector of the institution.
“We want to call on Mr President not to listen to these narrow-minded tribalists kicking against a man who has brought about unprecedented peace and cooperation that have eluded Auchi Polytechnic.
“Just like every Nigerian, this present Acting Rector has the right to head any institution located in any part of the country as long that he is qualified for the position.
“Let me draw the attention of Mr Isibo and his allies to the fact that there are several Afemai sons and daughters, by extension Edo sons and daughters who are heading institutions outside Edo state; an example is Professor Okwilagwue Oshotse from Etsako, who was VC in a University in Osun State.
“To put the record straight, the occupant of that position on acting capacity, Engr Zubair Mustafa, deserves to be confirmed as a substantive rector of the polytechnic.
“Engr Zubair Mustafa is a gentleman for the job. Since his assumption as acting rector, The Polytechnic has been very peaceful, sanitised and discipline has been restored while staff and students are giving glory to the Lord for having Engr Zubair Mustafa as acting Rector at this critical time.
“Engr Zubair Mustafa is a Chief Lecturer at the Polytechnic; before becoming the acting Rector. He was a program Coordinator, Mechanical engineering department, Head Of Department, Mechanical Engineering Departmental Technology, Dean of the School of Engineering Technology, Director, centre for research and innovative development (CRID), Deputy Rector Admin and now an Acting Rector.
“Facts available to us has it that nobody amongst the contestants parades the wealth of experience with which the Ag. Rector Engr Mustapha Zubair has facilitated massive infrastructural upgrades, administrative excellence and general workers and students appreciation in the Polytechnic.
“We as Afemai are not known to be insensitive people; we are accommodating as we love everyone, even strangers who are ready to work with us and develop our land, and as such, we will not be a party to any act of injustice that will be meted out to rob Engr Zubair Mustafa of the rectorship position just because he is from Kwara State.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of Education and the chairman of Governing Board of the Polytechnic, to please help the institution by confirming Engr Zubairu Mustapha as the substantive Rector of the Polytechnic to be able to move the Polytechnic to the next level.”
