The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced that its officials are barred from using the union's name or platforms to endorse political parties or candidates ahead of the 2027 general election. ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, stated that officials who violate this directive will face disciplinary action. This move aims to maintain the union's politically neutral position throughout the electoral process.
Piwuna emphasized that members remain free to exercise their constitutional rights to vote and participate in elections but cannot present personal political preferences as the union's position. The declaration was made during the union's 2026 Heroes' Day celebration in Abuja, where Piwuna reaffirmed the organization's apolitical stance ahead of the forthcoming elections. This decision comes amid growing political activities and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
The ASUU president stressed that the union will not associate itself with any individual seeking elective office, irrespective of the person's political affiliation or the level of government involved. He added that members can exercise their franchise but cannot use the organization's identity to endorse candidates or political parties. This move draws a distinction between the political rights of individual academics and the institutional position of the union.
The development is significant, as over 600 senior academics from public universities across northern Nigeria endorsed President Bola Tinubu's second-term bid in September. The endorsement attracted criticism from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to bar the northern lecturers from serving as returning and collation officers during the 2027 general election.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, commended ASUU for its contributions to the development of Nigeria's university system. Ahmad acknowledged the union's advocacy for improved funding, better working conditions for lecturers, and quality higher education in the country. She emphasized the importance of sustained engagement between the government and the union to strengthen the university system.
ASUU has over the years engaged successive federal administrations over university funding, lecturers' welfare, infrastructure, research development, and the implementation of agreements reached with the union. The union's position on the 2027 elections comes as political activities intensify, with Piwuna insisting that ASUU will neither endorse candidates nor allow its officials to use its platform for partisan political mobilisation.
The union's decision aims to maintain its apolitical stance and prevent individual members from using its identity to advance personal political interests. ASUU's move is a significant development in the lead-up to the 2027 general election, highlighting the union's commitment to neutrality and its focus on promoting quality education and advocating for the welfare of its members.
Key points
- ASUU bars officials from endorsing political parties or candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
