A group of concerned public schools teachers under the umbrella of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, on Tuesday passed a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the Union in Kwara State.
In a protest to the head office of the Union in Ilorin on Tuesday, the protesting teachers condemned the NUT leadership under Yusuf Wahab Abiola, for not fighting for their welfare.
Reacting to a statement by the leadership of the Union which has earlier warned strongly against the protest, the aggrieved teachers expressed dismay that the union, which should serve as the voice and shield of its members, has once again taken a stand that blatantly betrays the interests and collective demands of teachers in the state.
“It is unfortunate, regrettable, and insulting that the union, which should serve as the voice and shield of its members, has once again taken a stand that blatantly betrays the interests and collective demands of teachers in the state.”
They stated clearly that “the protest initiated by Kwara teachers is not directed against the Kwara State Government, but, rather against the ineffective, compromised, and self-serving leadership of the Kwara NUT, which has, time and again, failed to stand in solidarity with its members.
“We are demanding accountability from our union, not fighting the government,” they added.
The aggrieved teachers, complained that for years, Kwara teachers have suffered in silence, overworked, underpaid, and repeatedly neglected in policies and welfare considerations.
“The 30% peculiar allowance given to other sectors, from which Kwara teachers were unjustly excluded, is a glaring example. Even the recently approved 27.5% TSA, hurriedly announced due to fear of protest, is a half-measure at best, falling short of equity and fairness.
“We are also demanding: The payment of the November palliative, which was denied to teachers without any justification, inclusion in the five-day essential workers’ allowance, already received by others; and genuine representation that speaks truth to power and defends the dignity of the teaching profession.”
They lamented that in the face of their legitimate grievances, the Kwara NUT leadership chose to issue threats against its own members, warning teachers not to protest or demand better conditions.
“That statement, filled with praise-singing and political undertones, reeks of betrayal and exposes the union’s collusion with forces that have continually undermined the welfare of teachers in Kwara.
“Therefore, the teachers of Kwara State hereby pass a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE in the current leadership of the Kwara NUT. We are tired of being represented by individuals who place personal interest and political survival above the welfare of their members.
“Let it be known across the state and beyond that we no longer recognize Comrade Yusuf Wahab Agboola and his executive as representatives of our struggles. We are reclaiming our voice, our dignity, and our right to demand what is rightfully ours,” they declared.
Recall tht the NUT Chairman and the Deputy Secretary-General, Comrade Yusuf Wahab Agboola and Moni Mike Modesty, respectively, had earlier issued a statement warning against the protest.
The statement distanced the union from the protest, saying “the NUT, Kwara State Wing and its leadership, have not ordered, authorized or directed public schools teachers in the state or any other persons or group to embark on protest against any institution, individuals or the government of Kwara state in any guise.
“Arising from the above, anyone or group that goes on a public protest in Kwara state in the toga of representing the public schools teachers in the state, does so at their own peril,” the NUT warned.
It therefore directed all teachers in the state to totally ignore illegal calls for protest.
Aggrieved public schools teachers pass vote of no confidence on NUT leadership in Kwara
