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.

Smart School     Ahmed     CACOVID     Dogara     Shehu Alimi Foundation     KSIRS     Hamid Bobboyi     Roseline Oni Aremu     Kamaldeen Gambari     VADA     Abubakar Baba Sulaiman     Durbar Festival     Standard Organization Of Nigeria     Kwara State Sports Commission     Maryam A. Garuba     Jamila Bio Ibrahim     Ilorin     Sulyman Tejidini     Odogun Olushola Gabriel     Solomon Edojah     Lithium     Laolu Saraki     Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants Ltd     Ijagbo     Idiagbon     Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi     Baba-Isale     Mahfouz Adedimeji     Kayode Ogunlowo     Senior Special Assistant On Student Affairs     John Olobayo     Ibrahim Akaje     Joseph Alex Offorjama     Olaiya Lawal     Yusuf Abdulwahab     NIPOGA     Lukman Oyebanji Fagbemi     Hamidu Olowo     Garba Ayodele Wahab     Kayode Yusuf     Lateef Fagbemi     Florence Saraki     Council Of The Wise     Olusola Saraki     JAMB     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Saeedat Aliyu     Suleiman Alege Kuranga     Shonga Farm Project     Olayinka Are     African Democratic Congress     Vasolar     Bashir Badawi     Eleja Taiwo Banu     College Of Arabic And Islamic Legal Studies     Kwara State Geographic Information Service     Ishak Mohammed Sabi     Shaykh Luqman Jimoh     Jimoh Bashir     Ilorin West     Ibikunle Ogunleye     National Information Technology Development Agency     Bayo Mohammed Onimode     Emir Of Yashikira     United Nigeria Airline     Wahab Agbaje     Magaji Nda     Balikis Jawondo     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     Sheikh Ridhwanullah     Olosi Of Osi     Jani Ibrahim     Firdaos Amasa     Ijagbo Health Centre     Yusuf Zulu-Gambari     Abubakar Abdulraheem     Umar Saro    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Al-Adaby     Idris Garba     Bursary     Tafida Of Ilorin     SWAN     PPS     Abdulkadri Ahmad Alaiye     Code Of Conduct Tribunal     Tunde Yusuf     Ekiti     Mutawalle     New Nigeria People’s Party     Kwara State Geographic Information Service     Ahmed Dankaya     Maryam A. Garuba     Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone     Gobir     Agor Market     Sulu Babaita Isiaka     Kehinde Baale     Kwara South     Tunji Olawuyi     Wale Oladepo     Edret Sabi Abel     Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency     Dauda Adesola     Abdulrahman Abdulrazak     Jeunkunu-Malete-Bani     Amusement Park     Bankole Omishore     John Mayokun Dada     Allocation     Centre For Digital Economy     Obasanjo     Iqra Books     Yusuf Abdulraheem     Omar Gambari     Peculiar Allowance     Coronavirus     Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye     Www.Kwarareports.com     Salmon Babatunde Salmon     Aminu Ado Bayero     Valsolar     Bolaji Aladie     NAWOJ     Arinola Lawal     Esuwoye     Salami Adekunle     Jani Ibrahim     Atiku     UNILORIN Alumni Association     Afetu Of Alabe     Ilorin Amusement Park     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     Ayinde Oyepitan     ER-KANG     Student Learning Support Helpline     Sunset Workers     Agor     Nigerian Correctional Service     Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence     Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu     Afonja Descendants Union     Ogbondoroko     Gobir Organization Foundation     Sheikh Ridhwanullah     Tafida     Jamila Bio Ibrahim     United Nigeria Congress Party     Ajikobi     Emir Of Ilorin     Ibrahim Taiwo     MAI Akande     Theophilus Oyebiyi     Just Event Online     Mukhtar Shagaya