Kwara Poly Denies Political Motives Behind Lecturers' Dismissal

Date: 2025-01-08

Controversy erupted in Kwara State yesterday over the alleged dismissal of seven lecturers from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

The development comes as the state government announced the recruitment of 1,811 teachers for primary schools across the state, aimed at improving the quality of education for primary school pupils.

According to investigations by THISDAY, the dismissed lecturers were reportedly let go due to allegations of insubordination and their affiliation with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. Sources revealed that the lecturers were employed last year when the institution sought to expand its academic staff.

Additionally, the affected lecturers were accused of opposing the reappointment of the institution's incumbent rector, Engineer Abdul Jimoh, for a second term.

When contacted, the institution's Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Garba Haleemah, denied that the lecturers were dismissed due to their alleged political affiliations.

According to her, “The staff were not sacked based on political affiliations.”

Haleemah, in a statement issued in Ilorin, which she personally signed on behalf of the management of the institution, said, “The polytechnic management wishes to clarify that this exercise does not target anyone.

“It is purely an internal review and cost-saving measure that involved the movement of some old hands and, inevitably, rightsising of a few new hands whose employments were still probationary.

“It was not a decision taken in haste or without due considerations; we, therefore, appeal that such exercise should not be politicised.

“The polytechnic is undergoing significant restructuring, including increased use of technology to improve efficiency, reduce cost, and enhance service delivery in line with global best practices.”

However, a pro-democracy group in the state, People's Voice Advocacy Network (PVAN), condemned the dismissal of the lecturers for their alleged membership of an opposition political party.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Yusuf Obe, the group described the sack of the individuals as “politically motivated, callous, reprehensible and unacceptable”. It called for their immediate reinstatement.

According to PVAN, “Our findings revealed that six of the dismissed workers are from Ilorin, Kwara Central, while the other person hails from Kwara South, and no concrete reason was given for their sacking other than 'their service is no longer needed.'”

The group added, “This is no doubt a politically motivated decision. It is callous, reprehensible, unacceptable and a direct assault on Kwara youth, especially those who harbour opinions different from those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“As the voice of the people, we demand the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the dismissed workers and call on the governor to publicly disassociate himself from this oppressive act carried out by his personal aide.

“Furthermore, we urge him to take decisive action against those responsible for this shameful display of political intimidation.”

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

ANCOPPS     National Broadcasting Commission     Daud Adeshola     Oniyangi     Nnazua     Nagode     David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Lanre Issa Onilu     Haruna Tambiri Mohammed     Maryam Nurudeen     Wahab Femi Agbaje     All Peoples Party     Elekoyangan     Ballah     Dorcas Afeniforo     Charcoal     Shehu Alimi Foundation     Abdullahi AbdulMajeed     Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja     Shuaib Abdulkadir     Kwara State Internal Revenue Service     Gbugbu International Market     Jimba Babatunde     Savannah Centre For Diplomacy, Democracy And Development     Emir Of Shonga     Bashirat Bola Bello     Simon Sayomi     Mahee Abdulkadir     Senate     IF-K     Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji     MAI Akande     Mufutau Olatinwo     Olukotun Of Ikotun     KSIRS     Saeedat Aliyu     Jalala     Abdulrosheed Okiki     Toyin Olayinka Tejidini     National Pilot     ASUU     Ibrahim Orire     Adamu Atta     Yahaya Seriki     Adebayo Salami     EFCC     Tafida     Umar Bayo Abdulwahab     Jare Olatundun     Lanre Aremu     Olokoba     Kola Bukoye     Jide Ashonibare     National Union Of Road Transport Workers     Aliyu Muhammed     Adebayo Mohammed Kamaldeen     Olaitan Buraimoh     Muritala Olarewaju     Ladi Hassan     Lithium     Oke-Ode     Sidikat Uthman Ajibola     Tayo Alao     Sobi     Yusuf Babatunde Abdulwahab     Hauwa Nuru     MalHub     Temi Kolawole     Ayobami Seriki     Oyedepo     Lateef Alagbonsi     NYSC     Oba Of Jebba     Ibrahim Issa Jetti     Gbenga Adebayo     Facemasks     Adeola Abraham    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Bilikis Oladimeji     CT Ayeni     UNILORIN Alumni     Esinniobiwa Quareeb     Revenue Court     Cornelius Fawenu     Mustapha Olanipekun     KWASSIP     Chief Imam Of Offa     AbdulRazaq Abubakar Jiddah     Ilorin.Info     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     College Of Health     Deji Ajani     All Confederation Of Principals Of Secondary Schools     Y.A. Abdulkareem     Government High School Adeta     Ile Arugbo     Face Masks     Isau     Abdulkadir Bolakale Sakariyah     REO CAKES     Ajidagba     Moro     Zulkifli Ibraheem     Bursary     Alaiye     Isiaka Alikinla     Academic Staff Union Of Universities     Wahab Kunle Shittu     Kazeem Oladepo     Elekoyangan     Mope Dasuki Belgore     Gwanara     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     Ahmed Mohammed Rifun     Amos Bajeh     Ejidongari     Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Bashir Adigun     Musibau Akanji     Millennium Development Goals     Bello Taoheed Abubakar     Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd     Bola Tinubu     Olabode Towoju     Femi Agbaje     Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh     Crystal Corner Shops     Abdulmalik Bashir Mopelola Risikatullahi     Folajimi Aleshinloye     Bola Olukoju     Amule     Ayo Opadokun     AbdulRauf Keji     Muhammed Mahe Abdulkadir     Amada Jidda     Emir Of Yashikira     Abdulkadir Orire     Bilikisu Gambari     Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants Ltd     Saka Adeyemo     Suleiman Idris     Gbenga Adebayo     Kwarareports     Guber Aspirant     Ilorin General Hospital     Ali Ahmad     Budo-Egba     Orisa Bridge     Sardauna     Oniyangi Kunle Sulaiman     Wakilin Mata Lafiagi     Sheikh Hamzat Yusuf Ariyibi     Saadu Gbogbo Iwe     Bamidele Aluko     Freshvine Nigeria Limited