Kwara Poly Denies Political Motives Behind Lecturers' Dismissal
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.
Magaji Are Bello John Olanrewaju Assayomo United Nigeria Congress Party Halimah Perogi Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants Ltd CACOVID Palliatives Women For Change And Development Initiative Kale Bayero Kamoru Kadiri Lukman Adeloyin Saka Aleshinloye Ibrahim Taiwo Baboko Jelili Yusuf Kwara Politics Hijab Olajumoke Monsura Gafar Shuaib Boni Aliyu Toyosi Thomas Abdulrasheed Na\'Allah IYA YUSUF Raliat Elelu-Habeeb Sheikh Ridhwanullah El-ilory Yusuf Mubarak Ibikunle Ogunleye Deji Ajani Geri-Alimi Split Diamond Interchange Sarah Jubril Peter Amogbonjaye Pius Abioje Umar Gunu Isa Aremu Ilofa Ibrahim Mohammed Congress For National Consensus Doyin Agbamu Ilorin Talaka Parapo Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa National Information Technology Development Agency Babatunde Ajeigbe Sunset Workers Gbugbu Ahmad Ali Okin Biscuit John Dara Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak Aishat Mohammed Lawal Esinrogunjo Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye Oba Abdulraheem Okin Group Sabitiyu Grillo Okedare Salman Alada Oko-Erin Unilorin Maja Tafidan Kaiama Akeem Olatunji Kishira Orisa Bridge Akorede Saad Belgore Muhammad Yahya Oluranti Idowu Logun Offorjama Kazeem Adekanye Saheed Popoola ASUU Allocation Kisra Yahaya Jibril Usman Mohammed Yisa AbdulGaniyu Kareem Kola Adesina

