2027: PDP Decries Alleged Intimidation Of Kwara Civil Servants
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has condemned what it described as a disturbing pattern of intimidation and political persecution of teachers and other civil servants by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over perceived support for opposition movement in the State
The party added: “This is coming in the wake of the query letter issued to Mr Suleiman Alfa, a teacher at Central School, Lade, simply for expressing his support for the opposition movement on social media and asking legitimate questions about government accountability and performance.
“Our party also learnt of the summons issued to two other TESCOM teachers in Patigi Local Government Area, Mr Ndagi and Mr Idris, who have reportedly been invited to Ilorin to face disciplinary action over their alleged involvement in partisan and opposition activities.”
The PDP in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, cautioned the Governor and his agents against creating an atmosphere of fear among civil servants who are merely exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights as citizens, noting that no amount of intimidation and political persecution will make Kwara people avert the looming rejections awaiting AbdulRazaq and his party come 2027
“The party reminded the government that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees every citizen the right to assemble freely and associate with others, including membership of political parties and other associations.
“While acknowledging that civil servants are expected to observe applicable public service regulations, the PDP maintained that such rules must be interpreted and applied consistently with the Constitution and must never become instruments for suppressing lawful political expression, personal freedoms and dissenting opinions.
“The party further questioned the government’s apparent double standards, recalling that the same AbdulRazaq government sponsored a serving teacher to appear on radio to attack the PDP administration and make unverified allegations against the personality of its leader, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, yet continues to shield the individual from services of court.
“The PDP also attested to Mr Suleiman Alfa’s dedication to his professional responsibilities, describing him as a punctual and committed teacher who continues to discharge his duties diligently despite poor remuneration and the security challenges confronting several communities in Kwara North.
“The party warned that intimidation, oppression and targeting of opposition supporters for arrest, detention or disciplinary sanctions would not rescue Governor AbdulRazaq from the rejection awaiting his administration in the 2027 elections.
“The PDP therefore called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kwara State as well as Police , DSS and other security agencies to urgently intervene and protect teachers and other public servants from politically motivated harassment. The unions must rise to their responsibility of defending workers’ rights and ensuring that public institutions are not turned into instruments of partisan persecution,” the party said.
