6 ONDO POLY UNION LEADERS SUSPENDED

Six executive members of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo [RUGIPO] were on Thursday suspended indefinitely following the removal of the Acting Rector of the institution, Mr Soji Omowole. Their suspension of the unionists came shortly after the state government appointed a new rector for the polytechnic.

The suspended union leaders were, Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics [ASUP], Mr. Olabanji Kumuyi, Fayewa John, Non-Academic Staff Union [NASU], ex-officio, Agbojolusi Kayode, NASU Treasurer. Others are: Adeoye Kofo, Secretary, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Bolarinwa Bolaji.

The letters of suspension were issued on the directive of the Governing Council of the institution. Daily Sun gathered that their suspension might not be unconnected with the role they played during the two-month old strike during which they mobilized their colleagues against the state government's inability to implement the new pay rise for staffers of the institution.

According to sources, they were also accused of mobilizing workers of the school to send the former Rector out of the institution immediately they suspended the strike. Confirming the development, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Laoye Adegoke , said it was true that they were handed indefinite suspension letters.

According to him, the Governing Council of the school has set up an investigating panel to look into the matter.

He maintained that their suspension would go on until the committee set up by the governing council completes its investigation.

One of the victims, Bolarinwa Bolaji who spoke with Daily Sun on phone, said their suspension came to them as a shock.