By Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti
A Teachers union, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) Ekiti state chapter, has fronwed on attempt by some individuals in the state to blackmail the union, saying it is empowered to fratanize with any political parties and candidates in the the state.
The ASUSS also expressed concern over what it described as "sinister publication of some faceless individuals who purportedly described themselves as concerned Teachers " in the state.
The said piece accordingng to ASUSS could not be signed by "the said faceless individuals for obvious display of cowardice" and has been transimited in the social media.
According a statement signed by the Chairman ASUSS in the state, Com Sola Adigun, "the publication contains names of some members of our noble union and profession tagged as campaigning for the APC candidate against the interest of the state Governor, Chief Ayo Fayose"
"We would have ordinarily ignored this satanic lie and deliberate attempt by the enemies of our union to pitch us against some political actors of our state in and out of government, once such lie continue to fly insignificantly, the public might be confused and ill informed.
"It's also imperative to respond to this insinuation publicly so as to join issue with the faceless concerned teachers, *who have vowed to disgracefully drag our noble profession in political mud. *
"We challenge these political jobbers to present their evidence of where the leadership of this Union held such meeting with any candidate in or outside the state.
"Having laid the above background , we declare unequivocally, without any iota of contradiction that we, the 'mentioned' members of ASUSS as individuals or group have not met with any of the governorship candidates whatsoever."
While condemning the action of this faceless group, ASUSS insisted that "these faceless 'concerned Teachers' are the one moving from one candidate to the others."
Adigun however declared that without doubt, ASUSS meeting with the APC candidate on Wed, 4th of July, at Ado Ekiti did not signpost our union's support for any candidate, but as responsible labour movement resolve in Ekiti State to be opened to all candidates.
He said "It's also in line of such meeting, previously held with our sister union, the NUT, the mother unions, NLC and TUC that we find justification to also listen to the candidate.
"It is on record that before now, we had also met with the candidate of the incumbent ruling party in Ekiti State, the PDP.
"Emphatically, our association is apolitical, it's a trade union for the defense of the rights of teachers in Secondary schools nationwide.
"While our unalloyed loyalty is to the government of the day as our employer, we also maintain that our right to associate and belong to the union of choices is inalienable and fundamentally enshrined in section 40 of the 1999 constitution and the Labour Law.
"No amount of intimidation, blackmail and outright falsehood would deter a determined mind.
"Meanwhile, we appealed to the authority of the DSS to kindly release the Principal and two Junior Staff of Olaoluwa Grammar School, Ado Ekiti." He added.
0 Comments