The outgoing Rector of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Dr. Moses Umobong, has dismissed as unfounded the claims that he is attempting to influence the appointment of his successor in favour of someone from his ethnic group, the Ibibio.

 

Speaking to journalists at the Polytechnic campus on Wednesday, Umobong clarified that the power to appoint a new Rector lies solely with the Executive Governor of the state and not with him. He emphasized that it is constitutionally the governor’s prerogative to appoint Rectors of state polytechnics.

 

His response follows an online statement allegedly endorsed by a group identifying as ‘Concerned Annang Citizen.’ The statement accused Umobong of conspiring with leaders of the institution’s unions — the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), and the Ibibio Union — to sponsor a preferred Ibibio successor, sidelining the Annang ethnic group.

 

The group warned that such favoritism could incite ethnic tension and trigger institutional instability in AkwaPoly, the only state-owned higher institution located in Annang land.

 

In response, Umobong described the accuser as “faceless” and challenged the rationale behind the claims. He stated that his only role is to notify the governor of his exit date, obtain permission to advertise the vacancy, and allow the governing council to conduct interviews based on NBTE guidelines.

 

He said, “During my own appointment, eight of us contested. We went through interviews, and I emerged. If only one person applies this time, that’s fine. But it’s wrong for anyone to demand the appointment of a Rector based solely on ethnicity.”

 

Umobong criticized the politicization of educational institutions, calling instead for a focus on academic excellence and institutional development. He highlighted his achievements during his tenure, including securing 100% accreditation for all courses and elevating the Polytechnic’s national ranking from 99th to 2nd in the country.

 

“When I took over, we were ranked 99th out of 110 polytechnics. Through collective effort, we rose to 18th in my third year, and in 2023, we became the second-best Polytechnic in Nigeria, just behind Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro,” he said.

 

Announcing that he will leave office in November 2025, Dr. Umobong expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno and his predecessor for their support, and he prayed that his legacy of transformation at the Polytechnic would be maintained.