A group of academics from Jigawa State, known as the Concerned Members of the Jigawa Academic Forum (JAF), have distanced themselves from a purported endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, for second terms. The academics alleged that they were misled into attending a meeting with the state government, which was subsequently turned into a political gathering.
According to Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Magu, the meeting was initially meant to discuss education and development in Jigawa State, but was allegedly hijacked by the government to announce the endorsement. Magu stated that the academics were not informed about the endorsement agenda beforehand and that their attendance was used to create the impression that they supported the two politicians.
The academics expressed disappointment that the meeting, which was supposed to focus on addressing the state's educational challenges, was converted into a political campaign. They claimed that cameras were brought into the venue and prepared statements were read, further solidifying the impression that they endorsed Tinubu and Namadi.
The JAF members recalled that the Congress of Jigawa Academics (COJA) was established during the administration of former Governor Sule Lamido to provide an independent platform for academics to contribute to education and development in the state. They emphasized that COJA was never a political party and was not conceived as a tool for political campaigns.
The academics questioned the presence of Ibrahim Masari, Special Assistant on Political Matters to President Tinubu, at the gathering, asking whether his participation was connected to educational development or political mobilisation. They also pointed out that the state's educational challenges, including out-of-school children and low girl-child enrolment, were not adequately addressed during the meeting.
In a statement, the JAF members reaffirmed that they remained non-partisan and would focus on policies, ideas, and educational development rather than endorsing individual politicians. They disowned the purported endorsement of Tinubu and Namadi, insisting that political support was not part of their mandate.
The group emphasized that their credibility was their only capital and that they would only endorse ideas, not politicians. They called on the government to prioritize the state's educational challenges and allow them to contribute to the development of the state's education sector without political interference.
Key points
- Jigawa academics reject endorsement of Tinubu, Namadi due to alleged 'political trickery'
- Academics claim meeting was hijacked to announce endorsement
- JAF reaffirms non-partisan stance, focus on educational development
