Uncertainty and growing suspicion have gripped the Federal Polytechnic, Offa in Kwara State, following the sudden and controversial replacement of Hon. Rotimi Makinde as a board member of the institution. The development, which has sparked intense debate among stakeholders, is seen by many as politically motivated and ill-timed, given Makinde’s key role in stabilizing the crisis-ridden institution.
Makinde, a former lawmaker and respected peace advocate, was reportedly removed from the board without official explanation, prompting speculations about internal politics and power play within the system. Some sources close to the institution suggest his outspoken nature and firm stand on contentious issues may have contributed to his ousting.
Reacting to the development, Makinde expressed shock and disappointment, describing the move as “insulting.”
> “It is insulting,” he said, “especially when I saw my appointment as a call to serve. I was never absent for a single meeting. When I was appointed, the school was under lock and key due to management’s prolonged face-off with the unions. I was saddled with the responsibility of leading a mediation process, and with the help of others, we restored peace to the polytechnic.”
His supporters argue that his removal is not only undeserved but also risks derailing the gains recorded under his leadership. The Federal Polytechnic, Offa had been notorious for recurring internal conflicts before Makinde’s intervention brought a semblance of normalcy.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed board member was received with fanfare by the institution’s management — a move critics say adds fuel to the speculation that the replacement was premeditated and possibly orchestrated from within.
As the dust settles, questions linger: Was Makinde’s removal a genuine administrative decision or a calculated political maneuver? And more importantly, can the new appointee match or exceed the stabilizing impact Makinde had on the institution?
For now, the Federal Polytechnic, Offa remains in the eye of the storm — with the future of its governance hanging in delicate balance.
Tags
News