Ogun PDP accuses TESCOM of mobilising teachers to attend Yayi meeting

Ogun State's ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the state government of attempting to politicise the education sector through a directive requiring public school teachers and head teachers to attend a meeting with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, known as Yayi. The accusation came after a statement issued by the PDP's media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, who claimed the directive was an abuse of power and a violation of the principle of political neutrality in public institutions. According to the statement released on Saturday, a memo circulated among Ogun State's public schools allegedly instructed head teachers and teachers in both primary and secondary schools to attend a meeting on August 3, 2026, at the Alake Pavilion in Abeokuta. The memo, which was reportedly issued by leaders of various teachers' bodies under the direction of TESCOM chairman, Alhaji Comrade Adeosun Tajudeen Adekunle, was said to have been endorsed by the Executive Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). The meeting was framed as part of "statutory and administrative duties," but the PDP dismissed this as a cover for political mobilisation. The PDP campaign office condemned the directive as a "blatant abuse of power" and warned that the use of public institutions for partisan political purposes was both illegal and unethical. It pointed out that the requirement for teachers to wear distinctive clothing for identification during the meeting exposed the event as a "political jamboree" and a "forced solidarity parade." The statement further accused TESCOM and SUBEB of using educators as "political pawns" and urged them to focus on improving public education rather than engaging in political activities. The opposition stressed that teachers are "nation-builders" and should not be used as tools for political campaigns. It argued that compelling civil servants to attend political meetings under the threat of administrative consequences was a form of coercion and violated the principles of institutional neutrality. The PDP also called on teachers and head teachers to remain loyal to the state and its laws, rather than being manipulated by political ambitions. The statement highlighted the broader implications of the directive, warning that such actions could compromise the integrity of public institutions. It noted that residents of Ogun State would continue to resist efforts aimed at undermining the impartiality of the civil service. As of the time of the report, none of the implicated parties, namely the Ogun State Government, TESCOM, SUBEB, or the APC governorship candidate, had publicly responded to the allegations. The controversy underscores growing tensions over the role of public institutions in political processes. While the PDP claims the directive was an attempt to manipulate the education sector for partisan gain, the state government and TESCOM have yet to provide a formal response. This lack of transparency has raised concerns among educators and civil society groups about the potential misuse of public resources for political ends. The situation remains unresolved, with the PDP urging all stakeholders to uphold the ethical standards expected of public officials.