A deepening administrative crisis over the transfer and posting of principals in Delta State secondary schools has triggered allegations of procedural violations, abuse of authority and deliberate disregard for seniority within the education system.
A source accused the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu, of allegedly acting in connivance with some members of the Post-Primary Education Board (PPEB) and the Permanent Secretary in the Board to take over responsibilities legally and lawfully assigned to the Board.
The allegations have reportedly heightened tension among principals, raised questions about the Board’s authority and left some schools without substantive heads.
The source said the Commissioner should supervise the PPEB and ensure compliance with established procedures, rather than directly handling the transfer and posting of principals. It alleged that the process had resulted in junior officers being posted to replace senior colleagues.
Among the disputed postings cited is the case of Mrs Agaren Florence, Level 16, appointed in 2019, who was allegedly posted to Ogbe Secondary School to replace Mrs Onojeharho Rose, Level 16, appointed in 2016.
Onojeharho was said to have sought the intervention of the Chairman of Service Commission of Delta State. The source further alleged that she was then issued a letter, signed by Aghedo Edith, directing her to take over from Mrs Emily, Level 16, appointed in 2014, as principal of Steel Secondary School.
The source questioned the proposed transfer of Emily, who had reportedly spent more than five years heading a rural school, to Oviri-Okpe Secondary School, said to have fewer than 200 students.
Other alleged replacements cited by the source include:
Helen, Level 16, appointed in 2019, who was allegedly posted to replace Asakitikpi, Level 16, appointed in 2014, at Kokori Mixed Secondary School.
Arawore, Level 16, appointed in 2019, who was allegedly posted to replace Jessa, Level 16, appointed in 2015, at Ohorhe Secondary School.
Another case involves Mrs Oyaide, now Level 17 and a Level 16 officer since 2015, who was reportedly transferred from Ughevwughe Secondary School to Arhavwarien Secondary School, across the river in Ughelli South. A junior officer was allegedly posted to take over her former station.
According to the source, the established five-year benchmark allows principals who have completed the required period in a school to be considered for transfer. However, it argued that seniority should also guide the selection of officers for new postings.
The source alleged that the disputed process had generated bitterness among principals and, in some cases, disrupted school administration. It claimed that some affected officers had either refused to hand over at their former stations or declined to resume at their new postings, leaving schools without substantive heads.
At the centre of the dispute is the allegation that the Commissioner has moved beyond supervision and assumed the PPEB’s administrative responsibilities. The source maintained that the Board is a legally established institution with its own enabling edict and should be allowed to carry out its statutory duties, while the Commissioner ensures that it operates within the law.
It urged the state government to investigate the disputed postings, clarify the respective responsibilities of the Commissioner and the PPEB, and ensure that future transfers are conducted transparently and in line with policy and seniority.
The source also called on the Board Chairman and members to assert the PPEB’s authority and address any administrative gaps that may have contributed to the controversy.
The source called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene urgently, alleging that the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary and some Board members had used their positions to oppress affected officers who lacked strong political or administrative connections. It urged the governor to order an impartial investigation into the disputed postings, protect less-connected officers from victimisation, clarify the respective responsibilities of the Commissioner and the PPEB, and ensure that all affected principals are treated fairly in accordance with established policy, seniority and due process.
Efforts to contact the Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu, Commissioner for Secondary Education, Delta State, was not successful as terse message sent to him was not replied as at the time of this report.
However, message sent to the Chairman of the Delta State Post Primary Education Board, Prof Emmanuel Tibi, was not replied but a Member of the Board, Mr Vantus Oyiborhoro who was contacted in a phone call said, “I am driving please.”
