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.

Mansur Alfanla     Share     Nnazua     Kulende     Oloje     Sulu Babaita Isiaka     John Dara     Waheed Ibrahim     Ahman Pategi University     Neo Mundo Ltd     Sabi     Afolasade Opeyemi Kemi     Khairat Gwadabe     Femi Agbaje     Malete     Albert Ogunsola     Alanamu     Code Of Conduct Tribunal     Siddiq Adebayo Idowu Salawu     Niguel Gallando Marcias     Muhammad Yahya     Tunji Ajanaku     Apata Ajele Secondary School     Kishira     Yusuf Zulu-Gambari     Kabir Shagaya     Shero     Frootify     IQRA College     Amos Bajeh     Shonga     College Of Health     Donatus Ejidike     Congress For National Consensus     Freshvine Nigeria Limited     Adaramaja     Kola Ologbondiyan     Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency     Innocent Okoye     Yusuf Abubakar     Olanrewju Okanlawon Musa     Kwara Polytechnic     Oloye     Zulkifli Ibraheem     Adisa Logun     Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund     Kayode Alabi     Magaji Nda     Abdulkadir Orire     Tunji Moronfoye     Gbugbu International Market     Toyin Abdullahi     Aliyu Kora-Sabi     AbdulRahman Saad     Sarah Jubril     Binta Sulyman     Sa\'adu Gambari     IYA ALFA NLA     Igbaja     Akeem Lawal     Goodluck Jonathan     Ile Arugbo     Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria     HYPPADEC     March 28     Vasolar-Kwara Company Ltd     Mope Dasuki Belgore     Ganmo     Lafia Aliyu Korasabi     Muftau Akanbi Oke     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Fatimoh Lawal     Air Peace     John Kehinde Salako     Abdulrahman Iliasu     Oluranti Idowu     Wasiu Onidugbe    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Atunwa     Oba Of Jebba     Binta Abubakar-Mora     Saka Abimbola Isau     Olayinka Jelili Yusuf     Oyin-Zubair     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Garuba Alikinla Shittu     Ike Ekweremadu     Esuwoye     Kwara State Government     Ayo Adeyemi     Sidikat Akaje     Yakub Lai Gobir     Dairo Kunle Paul     New Nigeria People’s Party     Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria     Bola Shagaya     Kwara State Football Association     Kayode Yusuf     Raliat Elelu-Habeeb     Offorjama     Oloyede     Naira Redesign     Bayo Onimago     Lithium     Shehu Alimi Foundation For Peace And Development     Omoniyi     Usman Yunusa     Damilola Yusuf Adelodun     Kola Ologbondiyan     Offa Metropolitan Club     Charcoal     Kaosarah Adeyi     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Abdulrahman Abdulrasak     Kolade Solagberu     Shettima Of Ilorin     Biliaminu Aliu     AbdulGafar Tosho     Sayomi     Toyin Olayinka Tejidini     Col. Ibrahim Taiwo     Mohammed Ibrahim     Ilorin.Info     Mansur Alfanla     Oniyangi     Aso Ofi     Abdulkadir Remi Hawawu     Titus Ashaolu     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Local Government     Umar Gunu     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     COEASU     Ifelodun     Musbau A. Akanji     Igbomina     Ilorin Talaka Parapo     Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye     V.O. Abioye     Soffiyyallah Kamaldeen     General Hospital, Ilorin     Oyedepo     Nnazua     Yusuf Zulu-Gambari     Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence     IF-K     Olaitan Adefila     Olanrewju Okanlawon Musa     Funmilayo Zubair     Salihu Alhaji Musa     Chief Imam Of Lafiagi     Olusegun Adeniyi     Kayode Bankole     SDP     Ahmed Dankaya