The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has condemned what it termed the “humiliation and public disgrace” of teachers by the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Raheem Adaramaja, during an inspection visit to Government Day Secondary School, Amule, on Monday.
The opposition party, in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, on Tuesday night, said it was “deeply outraged” by reports that Adaramaja allegedly ordered teachers, including the Vice Principal, to sweep the school compound in the presence of their students.
According to the statement, eyewitnesses claimed that the SUBEB boss, said to be acting on the instruction of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, accused the teachers of maintaining an untidy environment and ordered them to pick up litter despite their explanation that students had just returned from break.
The PDP described the incident as “a severe abuse of office and a public degradation” of educational professionals who are already working under difficult conditions.
“We ask Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq if this is the new standard for the teaching profession in Kwara? To have a Professor who himself was a teacher before access to public funds stripped teachers of their dignity and compelled them to perform tasks that belong to labourers, all in the presence of their students?” the statement read in part.
The party accused the SUBEB chairman of “arrogance, insensitivity, and moral bankruptcy,” adding that his action reflects the alleged growing culture of oppression under the AbdulRazaq-led administration.
“Those who rode to power under the Otoge mantra promising liberation from oppression have suddenly turned into power-drunk oppressors who humiliate the very workers they have failed to support,” the statement added.
The PDP further alleged that after six years in office, the AbdulRazaq administration has done little to improve teachers’ welfare, lamenting that “many schools remain dilapidated, while students learn under trees.”
It called on the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to defend its members, urging the union not to allow “power-intoxicated government officials” to trample upon teachers’ dignity.
“Adaramaja must immediately issue an unreserved public apology to the teachers of Government Day Secondary School, Amule, and to the entire teaching community in Kwara State,” the party demanded.
The PDP also urged Governor AbdulRazaq to “publicly condemn” the SUBEB chairman’s conduct and impose disciplinary measures if he was not aware of the incident.
The statement reaffirmed the PDP’s solidarity with all teachers and civil servants in the state “who, despite government neglect and humiliation, continue to nurture the minds of our children.”
Meanwhile, speaking to PUNCH Online on Wednesday in Ilorin, Adaramaja dismissed the allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party, describing them as an attempt to mislead the public through falsehood and political propaganda.
“Cleanliness and orderliness are part of a conducive learning environment.
“What happened at GDSS Amule was a simple reminder that teachers must lead by example in instilling discipline among students, not an act of humiliation,” he said.
The KWSUBEB chairman reiterated his commitment to discipline, accountability, and excellence in the state’s education system, stressing that his actions were guided by responsibility and service, not pride or abuse of authority.
