Delta State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had slammed three months suspension on Comrade Goodluck Ejezire, a Primary School Teacher in Isoko South Council for allegedly participating in a peaceful protest the day Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s father was committed to mother earth.
It was learnt that teachers, under the umbrella of Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria (BESAN), had on February 16, 2021, same day the governor’s father, Pa Okorie Arthur Okowa, was buried in Ika North East Council of the state, protested against the government, demanding for their entitlements.
According to reliable source, about 10 months after the protest, that is, on November 5, 2021, Ejezire was slammed with three months suspension immediately he indicated interest to contest for the position of chairman in the local government NUT elections that took place on Monday.
It was further learnt that Ejezire’s suspension was “an order from above ,which some teachers in the area were not too comfortable with”.
Other forces against the suspended teacher, also include the state NUT treasurer, Sunday Eterigho, who was said to have masterminded the travails of the teacher vying for the position of chairman and the incumbent NUT state chairman, Titus Okotie.
Okotie has not been on good terms with Ejezire for contesting against him as state chairman during our NUT elections sometime in July this year.
“So it was a golden opportunity to stop the young man from achieving his aspiration and the only way to do that was to slam him with three months’ suspension over flimsy anti-union activities barely a week before the election. Okotie is doing this to be in the good book of the governor,” the source said.
Goodluck Ejezire, said that it is nothing but “illegal, unconstitutional and a witch-hunt,” adding, “I was suspended by the state chairman of NUT, Comrade Titus Okotie, masterminded by the state NUT treasurer Sunday Eterigho and others, that I took part in a protest organized by teachers across the 25 local government areas in the state under the umbrella of Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria (BESAN), on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, which coincided with the day the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa was burying his late father at Owa-Alero.
The protest that was done almost ten months ago, why bring it now that I am contesting for an election? It is just a witch-hunt.
“The protest we embarked on is what NUT tagged anti-union. The protest was carried out on the 16th day of February 2021 by Delta State primary school teachers from the 25 local government areas and after the protest, I contested against the incumbent state chairman on July 19, 2021.
Then, anti-union activities were not known but after I submitted my nomination and consent form on the 5th day of November 2021, they now invited me before a three-man panel, querying me and asking why I was involved in the protest carried out in February 2021. I told them that BESAN did, not me.
“On Tuesday, 9th November 2021, all chairmanship aspirants were invited to teachers house in Asaba, I was present, then after the meeting, a suspension letter was handed over to me. As I talk to you, our election is going on now- the 15th day of November 2021.
I have been denied my mandate as chairman that has the mandate of teachers. For you to know that what’s happening to me is politically motivated and a witch-hunt, some of my colleagues who participated in that February 16th protest are contesting for today’s ongoing election.
“As we talk now, one of my colleagues, Comrade Jeremiah Okonta, who is the BESAN’s Secretary-General, who signed the protest letter and participated was not suspended and he is contesting as Ika South NUT Secretary in the ongoing election.
The master planner of my suspension who connived with the state NUT chairman and others was paraded by the Delta State Police Command as being involved in armed robbery and it was published by state-owned newspapers. Today, he’s holding a position as the state executive of NUT.
“On the 18th of October 2021, this same member of the NUT executive had boasted and threatened that I would be disqualified and that he would shoot my two legs should I come to the election ground. I asked him why but he said nothing, It’s now I know that I am being punished unjustly because as an aspirant contesting against their candidate I have the mandate of the teachers.
That is why they suspended me to pave the way for their candidate to carry the day without any opposition. They are afraid of me and have decided to intimidate me because of my pedigree as a no-nonsense man.”
The State NUT Chairman, Titus Okotie, confirmed the Suspension but directed our correspondent to get details from suspended Teacher.
It was gathered that the suspension letter is titled “Involvement In Anti-Union Activities: Suspension From NUT”, and was signed by NUT State secretary, Dan Basime and dated November 5, 2021.
The letter dated November 5, 2021 indicated that Ejezire had been suspended for three months for his alleged involvement in what it called ‘anti-union activities’.
The letter states, “I am directed to refer to the above-mentioned subject and to inform you that the committee set up by the state wing of NUT to investigate your alleged involvement in anti-union activities have completed its assignment. In this regard, I am asked to state that you have violated article 29(sub-section 1a, B, D, I, J and 1) of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) constitution.
“Consequent on the recommendation of the committee, I am directed to convey the following:
“That you are hereby suspended from the union for a period of three months. That the suspension takes effect from Friday, 5 November 2021. That you are to tender a written undertaking to be of good behaviour to the leadership of the state wing as a pre-condition for your reinstatement. That you are barred from all union activities while the suspension lasts”.
