Teacher Suspended For Social Media Post ‘Insulting’ Governor He Defended In Court As Witness

A secondary school teacher, Mr Akiyemi Philip, has been suspended indefinitely for allegedly insulting the Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, on social media.

The state government through its Ministry of Education/Osun West Education District Office issued Philip the indefinite suspension despite explanation denying insulting the governor.

According to the accusation, Philip delved into politics and taking sides with one of the factions in the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

The party has been enmeshed in deep crisis following the state congress few months ago.

One of the factions is loyal to the governor while the other is loyal to his predecessor and current Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola.

Philip is said to be sympathetic to Aregbesola.

The authority questioned his divisive loyalty pointing out posts on his Facebook handle, which contain what it called toxic political posts casting aspersion on the person of the governor.

Several of his posts tilted toward former House of Representatives Speaker, Mr Yusuf Lasun, who is one of the governor’s antagonists and one of Aregbesola’s political associates.

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,” and “Iwaloye 2022: Good Morning Progressive Family.”

In another post, he wrote, “Don’t Give A Betrayed Second Term,” in apparent reference to the governor that, he should be denied second term for betraying Aregbesola.

“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,” he posted another.

Following the posts, the government on December 8, issued a query to the accused teacher to explain why disciplinary actions should not be taken against him over his posts.

In his response, Mr Philip explained that he didn’t abuse the governor as he has been a staunch loyalist of the government.

“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,” he defended himself.

He added that, “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 either abusive or 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.”

But dissatisfied 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.”

As accusing fingers started pointing to the governor, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Jamiu Olawumi, defended his principal saying 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 saying 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.”

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