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.

Seni Saraki     Ganiyu Taofiq     Park     Rabiu Kwankwaso     Age AbdulKareem     Okala Baba     Oke-Odo     Kannike     Omar Bolaji Gambari     Henry Makinwa     Deji Ajani     Sidikat Alaya     Yusuf Zulu-Gambari     Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria     Toun Okewale-Sonaiya     Ajibola Ademola Julius     Ajidagba     Bashir Badawi     April 11     Baba Issa     Maryam A. Garuba     Kolade Solagberu     Apata Ajele Secondary School     PAACO-PCL Consortium     Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh     Timothy Olatunde Fadipe     Kwara Volleyball Association     Ayo Opadokun     Ilorin Central Mosque     Hussein Oloyede     Yunus Lawal     Mutawali Of Ilorin     Abikan     Dumagi     Hassan A. Saliu     NSCIA     Okeose Christian Cementary     Toyosi Thomas     Yusuf Lanre Badmus     Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede     Ethical College     Dairo Kunle Paul     S.O. Opowoye     UNILORIN Alumni Association     Abubakar Imam     Royal FM     Kayode Oyin Zubair     Simeon Ajibola     Ayekale     Lateef Ademola Olatunji     Offa Metropolitan Club     Titus Ashaolu     Abdulganiyu Salahudeen     Oja-Oba     Raji Ayodele Kamaldeen     Shagari     AbdulFatai Adeniyi Dan-Kazeem     Danhawa     Ahmed Saidu Rufai     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     Yaman     Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh     Demola Banu     Laduba     Omotoso Musa     Zainab Abass     Bayo Mohammed Onimode     National Party Of Nigeria     Ayegbeni     Arca Santa     Yakub Lai Gobir     Plat Technologies Limited     Chief Imam Of Omu-Aran     Monthly Sanitation Exercise     Valsolar Consortium    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Yakub Ali-Agan     Buari Edun     Rafiu Ibrahim     Imam Gambari     Kayode Ibrahim     Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem     Ilesha-Gwanara     John Olajide Adedipe     Toyin Saraki     Salman Suleiman     Otunba Taiwo Joseph     Nigeria Governors\' Forum     Mutawali Of Ilorin     Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     First Lady     Ilorin Talaka Parapo     Osinbajo     Ibrahim Taiwo Road     Yinka Aluko     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     CELF     Kamaldeen Ajibade     Modibbo Kawu     Ganiyu Abolarin     Haliru Dantoro     Kamaldeen Gambari     Tunji Oyawoye     Age AbdulKareem     Offa Descendants Union     Patience Jonathan     Ridwan Agboola     Babaloja-General     Ubandoma     Shaaba Lafiagi     Isiaka Saka Opobiyi     Bolakale Kawu     Oro Grammar School     Babaita     Simeon Sule Ajibola     Bello Bature     A.E. Afolabi     Opobiyi     Mufti Of Ilorin     Baboko Primary School     Code Of Conduct Bureau     Saad Omo\'ya     Saliu Shola Taofeek     Emir Of Yashikira     Adebara     Mamatu Abdullahi     Ndakene     Babatunde Ishola Babaita     Shuaib Jawondo     Kwara Liberation Group     Bamidele Aluko     Kwara State Printing And Publishing Corporation     Coronavirus     Idris Garba     Grillo     Bolaji Aladie     Oja-Oba     Aisha Ahman-Pategi     Azeez Bello     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     Hajj     Yahaya Seriki Gambari     Garba Dogo     Kwara State Government     Mohammed Lawal     Presidential Election     Samuel Olusegun Adedayo     David Oyepinola Adedumoye     Ilorin International Airport     Maryam A. Garuba     Earlyon Technologies     Saheed Akinwumi