Teacher Suspended for ‘Insulting’ Osun State Governor on Facebook

A secondary school teacher in Osun State, identified as Akiyemi Philip, has been suspended by the state’s ministry of education for insulting Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Facebook.

According to a report by the Premium Times, Mr. Philip allegedly abused the governor on issues concerning the political wrangling currently rocking the All Progressive Congress in the state.

The teacher, according to Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Jamiu Olawumi, was reported by his colleagues over his attitude and “unchecked involvement in politics”.

The Osun state’s ministry of education had on December 8, issued a query to the accused teacher to explain why disciplinary actions should not be taken against him over his posts.

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In response, the school teacher said:

“I was employed as a physics teacher presently at Masifa Community Grammar School, Masifa, where I always discharged my statutory obligations as expected, ranging from teaching of students as schedules on the timetable and all statutory records are updated from time to time and well kept.

“I have never, and will never insult the personality of Mr Governor and his government. In fact, in January, 2019 during the court case between Mr. Governor and Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke after the election at the election petition tribunal, Abuja.

“I was one of 14 witnesses that were randomly selected across the state then. The duo of Hon. Oladejo Kazeem and my humble self were the last two witnesses who gave evidence in favour of Mr. Governor before the tribunal at Federal High Court, Apo-Abuja.

“Despite my fundamental human right and entitlement to my opinion on social media, none of my postings and comments are neither abusive nor provocative against state Government and Mr. Governor.

“I am highly committed to what I am employed for as a physics teacher and I vow to discharge my best to promote sound education in the state.”

However, the ministry wasn’t satisfied with his response and went on to suspend him.

In his letter of suspension, the government accused the teacher of being “more focused on partisan politics than his teaching duties as a civil servant”.

“Your unpatriotic behaviour, abusive and provocative postings and comments on social media are against the Civil Service rule.

“Unless contacted beforehand, you are not permitted to enter the school premises.”

Jamiu Olawumi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, however, clarified that the school teacher was not sacked “but suspended”.

“His case emanated from his colleagues who in their petition expressed worries over his involvement in party activism which they said was affecting his primary assignment—teaching.

“He was queried by the school principal. But the query aggravated his misdemeanour daring nobody could punish him even according to General Order. However, before he would become a bad influence the case was reported to Tutor General who further investigated him and found him culpable.

“He employs uncouth language on the person of Mr Governor without caution with a lot of false claims. We really allowed due process before sending him on suspension. He was not sacked,” Mr Olawumi said.

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