The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly criticised the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Raheem Adaramaja, over what it termed the “humiliation and public disgrace” of teachers during an inspection visit to Government Day Secondary School, Amule, on Monday.
In a statement issued Tuesday night by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the opposition party said it was “deeply outraged” by reports that Adaramaja allegedly compelled teachers, including the Vice Principal, to sweep the school premises in the presence of students.
Eyewitnesses reportedly claimed that the SUBEB chairman, said to be acting on the directive of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, accused the teachers of keeping the environment untidy and ordered them to clean the area despite their explanation that students had just returned from break.
The PDP described the action as “a severe abuse of office and a public degradation” of hardworking educators already operating under challenging conditions.
“We ask Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq if this is the new standard for the teaching profession in Kwara? To have a Professor who himself was a teacher before access to public funds stripped teachers of their dignity and compelled them to perform tasks that belong to labourers, all in the presence of their students?” the statement read in part.
The party further accused the SUBEB boss of “arrogance, insensitivity, and moral bankruptcy,” alleging that the incident typifies the growing culture of oppression under the AbdulRazaq administration.
“Those who rode to power under the Otoge mantra promising liberation from oppression have suddenly turned into power-drunk oppressors who humiliate the very workers they have failed to support,” the statement added.
The PDP also alleged that after six years in power, the current administration has done little to improve teachers’ welfare, noting that “many schools remain dilapidated, while students learn under trees.”
It called on the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to defend its members and resist “power-intoxicated government officials” who undermine teachers’ dignity.
“Adaramaja must immediately issue an unreserved public apology to the teachers of Government Day Secondary School, Amule, and to the entire teaching community in Kwara State,” the party demanded.
The PDP further urged Governor AbdulRazaq to “publicly condemn” Adaramaja’s action and take disciplinary action if he was unaware of the event. The statement reaffirmed the party’s solidarity with all teachers and civil servants “who, despite government neglect and humiliation, continue to nurture the minds of our children.”
Reacting on Wednesday in Ilorin, Adaramaja dismissed the PDP’s allegations, describing them as politically motivated falsehoods aimed at misleading the public.
“Cleanliness and orderliness are part of a conducive learning environment.
“What happened at GDSS Amule was a simple reminder that teachers must lead by example in instilling discipline among students, not an act of humiliation,” he said.
The SUBEB chairman reaffirmed his commitment to discipline, accountability, and excellence in the state’s education sector, stressing that his actions were guided by responsibility and service, not pride or misuse of power.
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