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.

Olusin Of Ijara Isin     Lotus Bank     John Obuh     Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa     Just Event Online     Kwara State Council Of Chiefs     Sango-UITH Road     Elerin Of Adanla     Tunde Saad     Ayo Opadokun     Danhawa     Sunday Otokiti     Prince Bola Ajibola     Amuda Aluko     MMWG     Orire     April 11     Hausa     Halimat Yusuf     Tosin Saraki     Muhammad-Mustapha Suleiman     Oja-Oba     Adaramaja     Saliu Oluwole     Oba Of Jebba     Ile Arugbo     Egbejila     AbdulRasaq Abdulmajeed Alaro     Ahmad Uthman     Yusuf Abdulkadir     Ayegbeni     Mohammed Saidu     Tsado Manman     Olabanji Orilonishe     Shuaib Abdulkadir     Prince Mahe Abdulkadir     Okiki     Iqra Books     The Herald     Omu Aran     Kumbi Titilope     Olawuyi     Wahab Isa     Ayeyemi Sulaiman     EndSARS     Ayo Salami     Lanwa     Osuwa     Lanre Olosunde     NULGE     Balogin Alanamu     Kwara 2015     Amuda Bembe     Gbenga Awoyale     Gurei     KWASEIC     Ayotunde Emmanuel Alao     Musbau A. Akanji     Teachers Specific Allowance     Ajibola Ademola Julius     Abdullahi AbdulMajeed     Sheriff Olanrewaju     Yusuf Abdulwahab     Olatunde Michaels     Akume     Centre For Digital Economy     Tanke     Oyelere Oyinloye     S.O. Opowoye     Abdulraheem Olesin     Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu     Sarah Alade     Olusegun Adeniyi     Fatai Olodo     Olaoye B. Felix     Muhammed Akanbi     Basit Olatunji    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Kemi Adeosun     Yetunde Balogun     Maryam Ado Bayero     Sherif Shagaya     Magaji Are     SWAN     EFCC     Suleiman Ajadi     PAACO-PCL Consortium     Abdulrazaq Magaji     Olusola Saraki     Abdullahi Dasilva Yussuf     Magaji Erubu     IDPU     James Kolo     Baboko Primary School     Ubandoma Of Ilorin     JAAC     Budo-Egba     Bio Ibrahim     Kwara State Television     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     Olokoba Abdullahi Ayinla     Gbajabiamila     Kolawole Bashirat     Yusuf Ibitokun Sherifat     Offorjama     Saka Aleshinloye     Okin Biscuit     Transition Implementation Committee     Kayode Zubair     Farouk Salim     Mujtabah Bature     Idofin     Kolawole Akande     ER-KANG Mining Nigeria Company Limited     Ilorin Likeminds Foundation     Makama     Senate     ANCOPPS     Oniyangi Kunle Sulaiman     Baaziki Sulaiman     Kunbi Titiloye     Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia     LEAH Charity Foundation     IPSAS     Bank Of Industry     Akeem Lawal     Isin     AbdulGaniyu Kareem     Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq     Forgo Battery     Shuaib Jawondo     Abubakar Baba     Kwara Poly     Laolu Saraki     Folashade Omoniyi     Ilorin Talaka Parapo (ITP)     Olatomiwa Williams     Oniye     AbdulRazaq Jiddah     KSIRS     John Obuh     Modupe Oluwole     Overland     Ibrahim Oniye     Ayinke Saka     Ahmed Shuaib Buranga     Mashood Dauda     Saka Adeyemo     Taofeek Sanusi     Wahab Issa     Bond     Ibrahim Mashood     National Pilot     Taiwo Joseph     Yomi Adeboye