Ismaeel Uthman
A teacher with Masifa Community Grammar School, Masifa, Ejigbo Local Government of the State of Osun, Mr. Philip Akinyemi, has been suspended by the state government for promoting the governorship ambition of former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam,
Akinyemi is one of the last two witnesses who testified in favour of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola during the election petition tribunal in 2019.
The Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, according to Barr. Kolapo Alimi, who was one of the lawyers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Oyetola, based their judgment on Akinyemi’s statement, which awarded victory to Oyetola.
In a query issued by Osun West District Office on December 8, 2021, Akinyemi was accused of disrespecting the state government and Governor Adegboyega Oyetola through his posts on social media.
Signed by the Tutor General, Mr E.O Onatola, reads: “Your postings and comments on social media for some time have been inciting and has shown that you have derailed from what you were employed to do as a teacher. You are more focused on partisan politics than your duty as a teacher and commitment to the State Government as a Civil Servant in Osun State.
“Your comments and postings have shown a great disrespect to state Government and the Governor that is committed to a regular payment of wages and salaries.
“Investigation shows that several people have warned you against such provocative and controversial postings, including your colleagues and Principal but you turned a deaf ear to their warnings.
“The office is fully aware of your fundamental human right and entitlement to your opinion on social media but it is wrong for you, in fact an act of betrayal to post provocative comments against the State Governor and his Government.
“Your unpatriotic behavior, abusive and provocative postings and comments are against the Civil Service rule. Therefore, you are to explain upon receipt of this query why disciplinary action(s) should not be taken against you.”
Investigations by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that Akinyemi’s posts are majorly promoting Najeem Salaam for the 2022 governorship election.
In his response to the query, Akinyemi said: “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 time table and all statutory records are updated from time to time and well kept.
“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 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 evidences in favour of Mr. Governor before the tribunal at Federal High Court, Apo-Abuja. The said Hon. Oladejo Kazeem is the current chairman, Orolu LCDA. We were conveyed to Abuja then, during the said court case under the watch of Chief Wole Olaonipekun (SAN), Barr. Kolapo Alimi, Wallu Salimon, myself and Hon. Oladejo Kazeem witnessed in favour of Mr. Governor then.
“Despite my fundamental human right and entitlement to my opinion on social media, none of my postings and comments are neither abusive nor 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.”
Akinyemi was eventually suspended indefinitely on Monday, December 20, 2021.
A copy of the letter obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday reads: “I am directed to inform you that as a result of your actions of professional misconduct and abuse of Office, your actions created: public assault to the authority concerned, abuse of power as a teacher, disobedience to your school principal and in particular to the State Government of Osun.
“The Ministry of Education/Osun West Education District Office came up with the following decisions: It is a fact that you Mr. Akinyemi PhiliP a teacher of Masifa Community Grammar School, Ejigbo. You are more focused on partisan politics than your duty as a teacher and commitment to the State Government as a civil servant in Osun State.
“Your unpatriotic behaviour, abusive and provocative postings and comments on social media are against the civil service rule. Unless contacted before, you are not permitted to enter the school premises.
“You are hereby suspended indefinitely from Osun State Civil Service. Please ensure strict compliance with the dictate(s) of this letter.”
