01/08/2026
OGUN PDP CONDEMNS OGUN GOVERNMENT FOR "MANDATING" TEACHERS TO ATTEND POLITICAL PROGRAMMES
_Says It’s a Violation of Teachers’ Rights and an Abuse of Power_
By Elenudedere Media Concept
August 1, 2026
ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE – The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government of compelling public school teachers to attend its political programmes.
The party described the act as a "barrier" to democracy and a denial of teachers’ fundamental rights.
According to the PDP, using civil servants, particularly teachers, for partisan activities sets a dangerous precedent ahead of the 2027 general elections.
"IT IS COERCION, NOT SERVICE"
In a statement issued to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, the Ogun PDP Publicity Secretary said the issue was reported across several local government areas where teachers were allegedly directed to attend APC rallies and sensitization programmes during school hours.
The PDP described it as an abuse of office and an attempt to use state resources to advance party interests.
"This is nothing but a subtle way of denying our teachers their rights," the statement read.
"Teachers are public servants, not political tools. Mandating them to attend APC programmes during working hours is a barrier to professionalism, to education, and to free choice. It is intimidation."
LET TEACHERS CHOOSE FREELY"
The party argued that while every citizen has the right to political association, that right must be voluntary and must not be tied to salary, promotion, or job security.
"A teacher who chooses to support APC should do so on his own free will, after school hours. Not under duress, not with threats, and not with pupils left in classrooms," the PDP added.
The party called on the Ogun State Government, the Teaching Service Commission, and relevant unions to immediately put an end to the practice.
CALL FOR NUT, CSOs INTERVENTION
The PDP also urged the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and civil society organizations to speak up and protect teachers from being used as "political instruments."
"Our children’s future is in the hands of these teachers. They should be in class teaching, not being bussed to political meetings," the statement said.
"Ogun people deserve better. Democracy is about choice, not compulsion."
WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING
Some teachers who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity confirmed receiving circulars and WhatsApp messages asking them to attend party programmes.
One teacher in Abeokuta South said:
"We were told attendance would be taken. That’s why many of us go, even when we don’t want to."
PDP’S POSITION AHEAD OF 2027
The PDP said it is raising the alarm early to prevent a repeat of what it called "the use of state machinery to coerce voters" in past elections.
"We will not keep quiet while the rights of workers are trampled upon for political gain. Ogun teachers deserve respect, not intimidation," the party concluded.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ogun State Government and the APC had not responded to the allegations.