Atiku Warns INEC Against Partisan Lecturers

Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against assigning sensitive electoral duties to lecturers who have openly declared support for politicians.

Shaibu said academics who publicly endorse presidential candidates should not be appointed as Returning Officers, Collation Officers or officials responsible for collating, declaring and announcing election results.

More than 600 senior academics from public universities in Northern Nigeria had reportedly endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term.

The endorsement took place during a meeting convened by Tinubu’s Presidential Adviser, Ibrahim Masari, in Kaduna.

The academics acknowledged that Tinubu inherited economic challenges and that some of his reforms had increased hardship, but cited progress in education, agriculture and infrastructure.

However, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chris Piwuna, disowned the endorsement, saying the union remained apolitical and had never endorsed political candidates.

Reacting to the development, Shaibu said electoral credibility required both actual neutrality and public confidence in the neutrality of those administering the process.

In a statement he signed, Shaibu said the Atiku Media Office was concerned about the reported endorsement and warned that academics who openly declared partisan allegiance should not later be entrusted with sensitive electoral responsibilities.

“The lecturers have every constitutional right to support, campaign for and vote for any candidate of their choice. That right is not in dispute. What is unacceptable, however, is for persons who have publicly taken partisan positions to later present themselves as neutral electoral officials.

“Any academic who openly endorses a presidential candidate should not come anywhere near sensitive INEC assignments as Returning Officers, Collation Officers or officials entrusted with the collation, declaration and announcement of election results. Electoral credibility requires not only actual neutrality, but also public confidence in the neutrality of those administering the process,” he said.

Shaibu also expressed concern over the reported presence of elected governors and the Minister of Defence at the endorsement.

“That senior officials of the ruling party would lend the weight of their offices to such an overtly partisan gathering of academics is deeply troubling and speaks to the desperation surrounding the Tinubu administration’s quest for re-election,” he said.

The media aide accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to strip academics of their dignity and involve them in partisan politics.

“It is a shame that the Tinubu administration appears determined to strip our scholars of the dignity of their academic gowns and dress them instead in the garb of partisan political rascality.

“Universities should remain centres of independent thought, scholarship and intellectual freedom, not recruitment grounds for the political machinery of a desperate ruling party.

“What we are witnessing tells the story of a government increasingly prepared to push against every moral boundary in its determination to secure another term in office, regardless of the damage done to institutions that ought to command public trust,” he said.

Shaibu said the same principle should apply to academics who openly support Atiku or any other presidential candidate.

“This principle must apply equally to academics who openly support Atiku Abubakar or any other presidential candidate. No one should be allowed to be a player today and referee tomorrow.

“You cannot wear a party jersey today and expect Nigerians to accept you as an impartial referee on election day.

“INEC must take note and ensure that academics who have publicly declared partisan allegiance are excluded from sensitive electoral responsibilities in the 2027 elections,” he said.

ADVERTISE WITH US

Do you want to reach your targeted audience and expand your brand’s visibility?

Advertise with Polity Reporters to place your “message” before the right audience.

For advertising enquiries, reach us through:

Email: bandcommunications001@gmail.com

Facebook: Polity Reporters

WhatsApp: 07043810558