APC, AP trade accusations over teacher recruitment

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party (AP) have engaged in a heated exchange of accusations over alleged government’s failure to recruit teachers after three years of the current administration.

In a statement by Kola Olabisi, APC’s Director of Media and Information, yesterday, the party criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke for allegedly failing to honor his promise to replace the sacked 1,500 teachers recruited by his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

Olabisi expressed disbelief at the claims made by the commissioner of information defending the government’s recruitment policy.

“How on earth would a state commissioner of information come on air to defend the recruitment policy without sufficient knowledge of how many teachers his government intends to hire? It seems like an attempt to spread falsehood.”

Olabisi further questioned the government’s rationale for blaming its inability to hire teachers on limited access to local government funds, stating that the Supreme Court has established that local governments are independent entities. He accused the Adeleke administration of inadequately preparing for the recruitment process, which he claims was announced without an understanding of the associated costs.

“It is absurd for the Adeleke government to blame its inability to hire teachers for over three years on losing control of local government operations to the opposition. This excuse lacks credibility,” he added. Olabisi noted that since its inception, the Adeleke government has received over one billion naira in allocations.

Responding, James Bamgbose, media officer for the Accord Party, labeled the APC’s claims as dishonest and ironic.

“This is the same party that hastily recruited teachers as an election stunt, left the system bloated and disorganized, and failed to provide sustainable funding. Their reckless approach is why the Adeleke administration prioritizes order and reform over propaganda.”

Bamgbose emphasised that recruitment under Governor Adeleke is driven by a thorough needs assessment and sustainable wage planning, contrasting it with the previous administration’s methods.

“Recruitment is not a political kickback scheme. The APC’s fixation on an Executive Order they don’t fully comprehend only reveals their intellectual laziness.”

He affirmed the Adeleke administration’s dedication to teachers’ welfare, structured recruitment, and strengthening the educational sector, saying “No amount of recycled rhetoric from a rejected party will change this course.”