Some teachers employed by Adegboyega Oyetola’s immediate administration in Osun State staged a peaceful protest on Monday in Osogbo, urging Governor Ademola Adeleke to reconsider his decision to dismiss them.
It should be noted that approximately 1,500 teachers recruited into the service by the previous administration between September and October 2022, but sacked through an Executive Order issued by Adeleke, had written to the governor pleading with him not to dismiss them along with other workers recruited by Oyetola’s administration.
Protesters converged on the Olaiya area, carrying placards with various inscriptions and urging relevant stakeholders in state affairs to intervene.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Olufemi Adedeji said their recruitment followed due process and pleaded with Adeleke to return them to their duty posts.
He said, “I am one of the 1,500 newly recruited teachers for both primary and secondary schools in Osun. I was given an appointment letter on September 30, 2022, and the process for this recruitment began in the year 2020.
“And immediately we were given appointment letters, and we all reported to our primary places of assignment.
“We have been dutiful, patriotic citizens of this state, and upon resumption, we were gladly received by teachers, students, and the leadership of the Parents and Teachers Association.
“We worked for about four months with no reward for our work until the new government, under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke, ordered a review of our appointment.
“Since then, we have made all efforts to call Mr Governor’s attention and plead for mercy. But we have not received any response from him.
“We are pleading with our Governor and all stakeholders and well-meaning citizens of the state to plead with him to reconsider us and give us a positive response. We are dying in silence.”
The spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, could not be reached for comment as calls to him rang out, while a reply to a text message sent to him on the issue was still expected.