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.

Alloy Chukwuemeka     ARMTI     Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence     CACOVID     Code Of Conduct     Mahfouz Adedimeji     Odolaye Aremu     College Of Health     Government High School (GHS), Adeta     Yakubu Dogara     Abdullahi Dasilva Yussuf     MMWG     Shaykh Luqman Jimoh     Fulani     Aisha Ahman Pategi     Jamiu Oyawoye     Theophilus Oyebiyi     Sulyman Atolagbe Alege     Bello John Olanrewaju     Garment Factory     Eruku     Abdulwahab Ololele     Emir Of Kano     Rashidi Yekini     Kehinde Boyede     Ilorin General Hospital     Babs Iwarere     Taofik Mustapha     Christopher Tunji Ayeni     Innocent Okoye     Jani Ibrahim     TIC     Oluwole Dupe     Toyin Abdullahi     Rapheal Ashaolu     ASUU     Mohammed Ghali Alaaya     Ogidi-Oloje     Ita-Nmo Market     Kayode Oyin-Zubair     Ishola Abdullahi     Jimoh Akani     Damilola Yusuf Adelodun     Popo-Igbonna     Abdulrosheed Okiki     Mohammed Yahaya Barki     Okeose Christian Cementary     Ilesha-Baruba     Amuda Bembe     Abdullateef Abdussalam     Ibrahim Akaje     Vasolar-Kwara Company Ltd     Garba Ado Sanni     Mary Kemi Adeosun     REO CAKES     Ilorin Central Mosque     Segun Abifarin     Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon     Shehu Alimi Foundation For Peace And Development     Akeem Lawal     Kwara State Football Association     Abdulrahman Iliasu     Ohoro Of Shao     Abiodun Musa Aibinu     Kwara-SAPZ Project     Owode Market     Fola Consultant     Akeem Olatunji     Okanlawon Musa     Baba Idris     Bolakale Kawu     Madawaki Of Ilorin     Saka Keji     Aminu Adisa Logun     Mogaji Aare     Abdulganiyu AbdulAzeez     Sarah Alade    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Saad Belgore     Ministry Of Women Affairs And Social Development     Ojuekun Sarumi     Ilorin East     Danhawa     Lukman Adeloyin     Justina Oha     Aisha Ahman Pategi     Yusuf Ibitokun Sherifat     Pategi     Naira Redesign     Ezekiel Yissa Benjamin     Bibire Ajape     Saidu Yaro Musa     NNPP     Oasis Muslim Care Foundation     Apaokagi     SWAN     Ekweremadu     Olota Of Odo-Owa     Abdullahi Saadudeen Alikinla     Ajibola Ademola Julius     Teachers Specific Allowance     Bayo Lawal     Okin Malt     Isin     Elekoyangan     Sarah Jubril     Quranic Recitation Competition     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     COVID-19 Palliatives     David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Adaramaja     Ilesha-Baruba-Gwanara     General Hospital, Ilorin     Olohungbebe     Farouk Salim     Hauwa Nuru     MAI Akande     Ilorin West     Afolayan     Oluronke Adeyemi     Minister     Donatus Ejidike     Oluwole Dupe     Muideen Olaniyi Alalade     Muhammed Abdullahi     Yoruba     Oke-Oyi     Saheed Akinwumi     Muhammed Aliyu     Admiralty Villa     Gobir Organization Foundation     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Idofin     Segun Adeniyi     Lanre Jimoh     Kwarareports.com     Kayode Yusuf     Jide Oyinloye     Olushola Saraki     A.E. Afolabi     Shao     Issa Baba     Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Iponrin     Tope Daramola     Ibrahim Taiwo     Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye     Al-Hikmah University     Toyin Abdullahi     Ajia-Bako     Obuh     Opaleke Bukola Iyabo     Kwara United     Hassan Oyeleke     Nigeria Computer Society