Nyesom Wike Sued By 344 Sacked Workers For Illegal Terminaton

Upon assumption of office as the Executive Governor of Rivers State, it would be recalled that Governor Nyesom Wike sacked about three hundred and forty four (344) members of staff of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori in Rivers State, southern Nigeria.

The affected officers have proceeded to file a suit against the Rivers state government and others for illegal termination of appointment.

The suit against the Rivers State Government was filed at the National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa by lawyers from the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, a team led by Anyankwe Nsirimovu.

As defendants, other parties that were joined with the Rivers State Government in the matter include the state ministry of Education and the management of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic formerly known as Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori.

The aggrieved workers, who are the plaintiffs in the case, have revealed that they decided to take legal action against the Rivers state government due to the fact that several attempts by them to have Governor Wike reverse his decision have been nothing but futile attempts.

As recalled, Governor Nyesom Wike in July ordered the sack of the newly recruited workers who had passed through all due processes of interview and recruitment and they had even been issued appointment letters.

The said workers were about to resume duty after receiving employment letters and staff identification cards by the management of the Polytechnic, and had gone ahead to open salary accounts when Governor Wike ordered the termination of their appointment.

Nyesom Wike sacked no fewer than 1,141 workers and 435 lecturers from the state Polytechnic, Bori.

The then affected institutions also included the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State Polytechnic, School of Nursing and Health Technology, as well as School of Arts and Science.

The affected officials who were employed by the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, raised allegations that the subsequent termination of their appointments by Governor Wike was a political feud against those alleged to be loyalists of Rotimi Amaechi.