The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, have given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to announce the institution's rector.

The polytechnic has been operating without a substantive rector since the tenure of former rector Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo expired in February. Addressing reporters in Offa yesterday, Chairman of Offa poly ASUP, Dr. Sola Ojeniyi, said the delay in the appointment was creating unnecessary tension in the school.

"The process of appointing a new rector has been lingering in the last six months. ASUP, both at the national level and the school's chapter, have been wondering over the unnecessary procrastination on the part of all the agencies involved in the appointment.

"Prior to the placement of an advertisement in a newspaper, the polytechnic's ASUP met and observed that the school had produced a good number of qualified members who have, over the years, attained a very high level of academic standard in various fields.

"Based on these, the congress, in line with the position and support of the national body, resolved that the union will not welcome anybody from outside the polytechnic as the rector. By the time the advertisement was published, it satisfied the resolution of the union.

"It must be stressed here that the union and the polytechnic community is taken aback with the unfathomable foot-dragging in the announcement. The union believes that the situation in the polytechnic is different from what we had in 2007, when the school was enmeshed in serious crisis that precipitated the elongation of the tenure of the then acting-rector for several months."

"ASUP and majority of members of the polytechnic give credence to the process of the appointment; the three contenders are our members; the union believes that the noise of war, crisis and controversies on the pages of newspapers are sponsored by external factors to cause confusion and mislead the Federal government and Nigerians.

"The only condition that can bring crisis is when our members, who have been properly screened and recommended, are robbed of the opportunity of serving the institution."

Student Union President Yusuf Olalekan said: "The delay in the appointment of a rector for the institution has been causing anxiety on campus. I want to debunk rumours that the polytechnic is in crisis; as far as the students are concerned, there is no crisis concerning the appointment of a substantive rector.

"We are giving the Federal Government seven days to announce without delay, the rector among the three recommended candidates. As students, we will support any of the shortlisted candidates for the job. We are ready to work harmoniously with such a person to take our institution to higher heights. "We are aligning with ASUP in giving a seven-day ultimatum to announce our rector."