ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE — Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, has strongly criticized the state government for allegedly forcing public school teachers to attend a political rally.
In a press statement issued on July 31, 2026, by his Media Aide, Afolabi Orekoya, Adebutu described the move as a “blatant politicization” and “weaponisation” of the state’s education sector and civil service.
The backlash stems from a memo currently circulating within the Ogun State public school system. According to Adebutu, the directive was issued by leaders of various public school teachers’ bodies, including Alhaji Comrade Adeosun Tajudeen Adekunle, the Chairman of the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and State Chairman of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON). The instruction was reportedly given under the directive of the Executive Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The memo mandates all primary and secondary public school headteachers and teachers to attend a meeting with the ruling party’s candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi). The event is scheduled to take place at the Alake Pavilion on August 3, 2026.
Adebutu noted that the mandatory gathering is being organized under the guise of “statutory and administrative duties,” with an additional instruction for each branch to appear in “unique attire for easy identification.”
Speaking on behalf of the candidate, Orekoya unequivocally condemned the directive, stating that there is no administrative or statutory justification for compelling educators to abandon their primary duties for a political candidate’s event.
“The instruction for each branch to appear in ‘unique attire for easy identification’ further exposes this gathering for what it truly is—a political jamboree and a forced solidarity parade, forcefully utilizing our respected educators as political pawns,” the statement read.
Adebutu characterized the coercion of civil servants under the threat of administrative duty as illegal, unethical, draconian, and highly oppressive, urging that the state’s civil service remain fiercely insulated from partisan politics.
Rather than acting as a political mobilization wing, the governorship hopeful challenged TESCOM and SUBEB to redirect their focus to their primary mandates. Adebutu highlighted the urgent need to address infrastructural decay and deficiencies in public schools, improve the welfare of teachers, and elevate the overall standard of basic education across Ogun State.
Addressing the state’s educators directly, Adebutu urged them not to bow to pressure.
“To our hardworking headteachers, teachers, and civil servants in general: we urge you to remain steadfast and professional. Do not be intimidated. Your loyalty is to the State and the laws of the land, not to any individual’s political ambition,” Orekoya stated on Adebutu’s behalf, adding that the people of Ogun State are watching and will resist attempts to drag public institutions into partisan affairs.
