Following alleged certificate racketeering at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics suspended its services on Tuesday for two weeks.

A whistleblower, Raphael Ufua, accused the institution of certificate racketeering, causing serious damage to the school.

Ufua alleged that the principal officers issued certificates to students who never attended the school.

However, announcing the strike, ASUP Chairman Dr Michael Ohana said the lingering issue of alleged result racketeering has brought the institution into disrepute and disrupted academic activities.

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He said, “A serious cause for concern is how the yet-to-be-verified result racketeering issue has permeated social media, bringing staff and the institution into public disrepute.

“Our members are the worst hit. When we relate with the world outside, we are no longer able to proudly say we are staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.

Meanwhile, within the work environment, the necessary supplies and resources that make teaching and learning possible have become a far cry.

“Following the state government’s refusal to act decisively on issues between the Governing Council and Management, despite several meetings and ultimatums, it has become imperative that the Union embarks on a two-week warning strike.

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“Recall that in February 2025, the Governing Council suspended the Registrar over unverified allegations of result racketeering without due diligence.

“Similarly, in July 2025, the Council suspended the Rector over unfounded accusations of financial impropriety, later repudiated by the governor as ultra vires.

“Despite relentless union efforts, these issues continue.

“Therefore, ASUP suspends its services to the state government for 14 days, hoping the government will consider reports from investigative committees rather than forming endless committees on this matter.

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“The Nigerian Police must stop harassing staff, especially our members. Heads of Departments are being summoned to Abuja to answer for suspected forged student results.

“Government should call the Governing Council to order and duly communicate to them their mandates and functions. This is to make them operate in the manner that is expected of a Council that governs an academic institution, as obtainable with other tertiary institutions within and outside the state”

The ASUP called for the arrest and prosecution of the false whistleblower, Raphael Ufua, whose actions have brought disgrace and public disrepute upon the institution and staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku.

They stated that the alleged result racketeering, involving principal officers of the institution, had disgraced the image of the state institution, insisting that it was merely a case of result forgery perpetrated by individuals who are neither management staff nor principal officers of the institution.

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, urged its relevant committees to investigate the alleged communal clashes between residents of Iguelgba, Oben, Ikobi, and Obazogbe N’ugu of Edo State and the people of Mosogar in Delta State.

Since 1991, when the boundaries between Edo State and Delta State were created and explicitly defined, the indigenes of both communities and states along the border have been living in peace until recently.

The recent clash is allegedly caused by the people of Mosogar, who, according to Osawaru, “Led unjustified incursion and attack by thugs and hoodlums to the Edo communities.”

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Briefing members in a motion of urgent public importance during the plenary session, the member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwude Federal Constituency, Edo State, Billy Osawaru, noted that the people of Iguelgba, Oben, Ikobi, and Obazogbe-N’ugu Communities of Orhionmwon Local Government Area have “lived in peace within the oil exploration area of Orhionmwon LGA without fear, harassment and crisis of any kind and have shared common boundaries with Delta State, particularly at the Mosogar axis of the state.”

The Edo lawmaker warned that if the “Unwarranted and unprovoked incursion by people of Mosogar and Delta State in general on the lands and communities of Iguelgba, Oben, Ikobi, and Obazogbe-N’ugu in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State, the situation can lead to a full-blown interstate crisis, thereby threatening the peace and stability of the nation.”

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He further added that “If serious action is not taken to stop this incursion and attack coming from the Mosogar people, it may snowball into a full-scale interstate crisis, which will in turn threaten the peace and stability of the nation in general.”

When the motion was put to a voice vote, members present at plenary voted overwhelmingly in support, and the House mandated its Committees on Special Duties and National Security and Intelligence to investigate the incident and report back within four weeks.

It also urged the relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and the National Intelligence Agency, to take immediate action to restore peace and protect the lives and properties of the affected communities.

The House further urged the Governments of Edo and Delta States to expedite action in resolving the dispute through dialogue and mutual understanding without further delay.

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Dr Bernard Doro from Plateau State as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, forwarding his name to the Senate for confirmation.

Doro’s nomination comes after the elevation of Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, who was elected National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress in July.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the nomination in a statement issued Tuesday.

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Presidency officials familiar with the developments had told our correspondent that the President, during a private meeting with close aides on Monday evening, expressed his intention to name nominees to occupy two vacant portfolios in his cabinet, including that of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who resigned weeks ago.

Born on January 23, 1969, in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Onanuga said Doro brings more than two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, strategic leadership, and community development in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

“He has degrees in Pharmacy and law, an MBA focusing on IT-driven business strategy, and a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice.

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“He is an Independent Prescriber and Advanced Clinical Practitioner with NHS frontline experience across urgent care, walk-in centres, GP practices, and hospital settings,” the statement read.

Beyond his medical and administrative expertise, Doro has been active in youth mentorship and social impact initiatives in both the Nigerian diaspora and local communities.

If confirmed, he will join President Tinubu’s cabinet and be sworn in at a Federal Executive Council meeting.