By Paul Olayemi 

The Committee for Good Governance and Transparency (GGT) has raised alarm over an alleged plot to bypass due process in the appointment of a substantive provost for the College of Health Technology, Ofuoma, Ughelli North, Delta State. 

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Comrade Onos Austin, the group called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to immediately release and implement the report of the committee he set up to address the matter.

According to GGT, the process to appoint a new provost began months ago with the submission of applications by qualified candidates. However, the process quickly became mired in controversy as key stakeholders sought to install their preferred choice.

The resulting power struggle led to a stalemate, prompting Governor Oborevwori to intervene by setting up a special committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Kingsley Emu, to investigate, conduct interview and make recommendations. The committee subsequently called for the files of all level 16 officers in the College and short listed 6 qualified  candidate and  invited all six shortlisted candidates to Asaba for interviews on May 19, 2025.

While a “Functionary Provost” was temporarily appointed to avoid a leadership vacuum, the candidate backed by the former provost was strategically placed as deputy. According to GGT, this move appears calculated to allow the deputy to automatically assume the substantive role once the current functionary retires next month.

The group expressed concern that the committee’s report, which was expected to guide the final appointment, has been deliberately withheld. “If this report is not released and implemented, the most qualified candidate may be sidelined, and the office handed to someone by backdoor arrangements,” GGT warned.

Governor Oborevwori had earlier directed that merit and qualification must be the sole criteria for selecting the new provost. However, the GGT fears that entrenched interests are working to circumvent this directive by suppressing the findings of the committee.

Comrade Onos noted that the refusal to release the report undermines transparency and threatens the integrity of public institutions. “We are urging the governor to take immediate action and compel the SSG to make the report public. The people have a right to know, and the most qualified person deserves to lead,” he said.

The group also decried the current state of affairs at the institution, citing the absence of a substantive provost as a major setback. “The school is suffering from weak leadership and administrative inertia. What is needed now is a capable, officially appointed head—not a placeholder propped up by favoritism,” the statement read.

GGT maintained that only by releasing the committee’s report and enforcing its recommendations can the state demonstrate a commitment to fairness, accountability, and effective governance.

“We call on the governor to rise above political manipulations and ensure the right thing is done,” Comrade Onos concluded.