Don’t appoint lecturers supporting Tinubu as election officials, Atiku warns INEC

The Atiku Media Office has warned that university lecturers who publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu should not be entrusted with sensitive electoral duties in 2027, according to a statement reported by Peoples Gazette. Spokesperson Phrank Shaibu said hundreds of lecturers from Northern Nigerian universities had endorsed Tinubu, and warned that academics who openly declare partisan allegiance should be excluded from roles such as returning or collation officers.

AShaibu expressed concern over the reported presence of elected governors and the Minister of Defence at the endorsement event, calling it evidence of the administration’s “desperation” for re-election. He said the same standard should apply to lecturers backing Atiku Abubakar or any other candidate, insisting INEC must ensure only genuinely neutral academics handle sensitive electoral responsibilities in the coming elections.