Niger PDP Governorship Candidate Condemns Victimisation Of School Teacher

The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, Muhammad Nami, has condemned the reported intimidation and harassment of a teacher by the Chairman of the Katcha Local Government Council, Isah Baba Bida, over the teacher’s political support for him (Nami).

LEADERSHIP findings revealed that the primary school teacher was allegedly suspended by the chairman for wearing a cap with the picture of the PDP candidate

Nami described the alleged action as “an abuse of public office and an attempt to undermine citizens’ democratic rights,” stressing that “no teacher or public servant should be victimised for exercising their political freedom.”

He also expressed concern about the deplorable condition of the school in Kafa village, Katcha LGA, where dilapidated infrastructure and a lack of basic furniture exposed the challenges faced by pupils and teachers in communities across Niger State.

Nami noted that the situation reflected a broader failure by Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago to fund education in Niger State over almost four years of his misrule.

“This failure is reflected in an embarrassing 82 per cent implementation deficit in the 2025 budget, where education received only 5.83 per cent of the total budget, ranking the state 29th among Nigeria’s 36 states,” Nami pointed out.

He further noted that “this falls significantly below the internationally recommended benchmark of 15–20 per cent of total public expenditure for education, underscoring the urgent need for increased investment in the sector.”

The PDP governorship candidate called on elected officials and government appointees in Niger State to respect public workers’ right to political affiliation and to stop intimidating or victimising them for it.

Nami reaffirmed his commitment to an education system that protects teachers’ dignity, expands access to quality learning, and gives every child, regardless of location or background, a fair opportunity to succeed.

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