The government accused the teacher of being more focused on partisan politics than his teaching duties as a civil servant.

The Osun State government has suspended a secondary school teacher, Akiyemi Philip, for allegedly insulting Governor Gboyega Oyetola on social media.

Mr Philip allegedly abused the governor on issues concerning the political wrangling currently rocking the All Progressive Congress in the state.

The APC had been factionalised in the state; while a group is loyal to the governor, the other is loyal to his predecessor and current minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

Until his suspension, Mr Philip taught Physics at Masifa Community Grammar School in the Ejigbo area of the state.


Critical

Checks on his social media page showed that he has been critical of the state government, tilting his tent toward the former speaker and the splinter group of the party, The Osun Progressives.

On his Facebook page, he wrote, “Elegbeleye and His Team That Conducted Osun APC Congresses Has Been Appointed to Conduct Osun APC Primary As Usual,” “Iwaloye 2022: Good Morning Progressive Family.”

“Don’t Give A Betrayed Second Term,” “The Battle of 2006-2010 Should Be A Lesson For The Present. Ex/Former As Case May Be Await You Soon! No Retreat; No Surrender,” to mention a few posts.


Wielding the stick

Earlier, on December 8, the government through the ministry of education had issued a query to the accused teacher to explain why disciplinary actions should not be taken against him over his posts.

In his response, a copy of which we saw, Mr Philip said that he didn’t abuse the governor as he has been a staunch loyalist of the government.

He explained that his posts on social media never disrespected the state government or the governor.

He 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.”


Not satisfied

But not satisfied with his explanations, the government through the Ministry of Education/Osun West Education District Office suspended him indefinitely.

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.”


‘Reported by colleagues’

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

Mr Olawumi also noted that the embattled 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.”

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/502158-nigerian-teacher-suspended-for-insulting-governor-on-facebook.html

Our government is always active in cases like this.




Truth is really bitter

Why not face his primary assignment
Why interfering in party's matter? This shows that he practice politics too

You're not wise enough

ItsGoodToBeGood:
Our government is always active in cases like this.




Truth is really bitter

You can say that again but you should also note the part that says "he was reported by his colleagues".
Nigerians are generally wired to respect and stand in support of their oppressors so much that you become a threat to them when you stand against oppression.

It's why the likes of our current president is still in power. If you speak, fellow Nigerians like you, most probably poorer and hungrier than you can ever be, will come for your head. "How dare you insult our master?" They'd say.

But what happened to freedom of speech

Asslickers
Just because of small salary he's earning frm you now you want to control his life...eye service

No freedom of speech anymore?



And Mr teacher concentrate on your job and leave arm robbers.

Retracted

Smh

But he was part of those who voted him. Stupid teacher.

In this corntree, there is freedom of speech/expression, but freedom after speech is not guaranteed

Freedom of speech is guaranteed but what happens after the speech is not guaranteed

Very bad

Freedom of speech is not guaranteed in this country at any level.

Na Teachers suffer pass, of all civil servants, yet na peanuts be their monthly payments.

Go find another work do..e be like say you no know the Kain country you dey..

make he join politics proper and enter race

Draconian military regime. Useless people in power

A Civil servant should know better dan insulting his State Governor on Facebook!

Him nor get Sense?

Anyway, It's like he will have to Join MannaVultureGriller in grilling business! I hear it pays more!

Well, perfect punishment. You insult the person that's paying your salary, you're ready for hunger ni now.

Most irresponsible conduct.

Funny . Mr valedictorian. Argument and too much talk dey always land person inside wahala

But seriously this is a senseless behavior displayed by Mr governor and his slaves. So many forget we are practicing democracy and we have rights to freedom of speech and to support any political party of our choice

I will never understand when or how insulting or verbally abusing an elected leader became a crime punishable by imprisonment... In a democracy for that matter!

I must have missed the memo on the removal of Freedom of Speech from that useless constitution!

Is Oyetola God or is Osun State Government the Almighty that can't be challenged?

Kelvin30286063:
Well, perfect punishment. You insult the person that's paying your salary, you're ready for hunger ni now.

So He should lick his dry ass because he pays Him Nigeria will never be great with your type of thinking.

That's why we are where we are in Nigeria today.

Asslikers.

Your brain cells are all mad.

He should sue the government at any nearest National Industrial Court





He will win and be compensated with huge damages.
Or what's the position of his "Condition of service"?

Power drunk governor

LogicBomb8:
Asslickers
Just because of small salary he's earning frm you now you want to control his life...eye service

Nigerians still never Taya for suffer suffer life.the way they worship their oppressors is amazing

Civil servants should not be involved in politics alright. But if he was bum licking Mr governor,I doubt if he would have faced any punitive action.

Pharoah no do reach like this..

Naso this country be, no be for France pesin slap their president and heaven no fall.

Kelvin30286063:
Well, perfect punishment. You insult the person that's paying your salary, you're ready for hunger ni now.

Paying salaries from his pocket?