ASUU Warns Officials Against 2027 Campaigns

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned its officials against using their positions or the union’s platform to promote political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The warning comes as political activities gather momentum across the country, with parties and aspiring candidates intensifying preparations for the next election cycle.

ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, announced the union’s position on Thursday, November 12, during the 2026 ASUU Heroes’ Day celebration in Abuja.

Piwuna said the union would remain politically neutral and would not endorse any candidate seeking elective office, regardless of the political party or level of government involved.

He stressed that no ASUU member had the authority to present personal political interests as the position of the union or use its name to campaign for any politician.

The union president, however, clarified that the decision would not prevent individual members from exercising their constitutional rights to vote, support candidates or participate in the electoral process.

He explained that members were free to make their personal political choices but must not involve ASUU in activities that could suggest the union had adopted a particular political position.

Piwuna warned that union officials who associate with political parties or politicians in ways that undermine the organisation’s neutrality would face disciplinary action.

He said ASUU leaders were expected to set an example by respecting the union’s position and avoiding activities that could compromise its independence.

The declaration effectively separates the political choices of individual university lecturers from the official position of their professional union as the 2027 elections approach.

Beyond the question of political endorsements, Piwuna used the occasion to raise concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly the role of security agencies in ensuring peaceful and transparent elections.

He said ASUU deliberately selected electoral integrity as the focus of its Heroes’ Day lecture to encourage public discussion on the challenges facing the country’s democracy.

The union president also expressed doubts about the possibility of establishing state police before the 2027 elections, questioning whether political leaders had sufficient commitment to completing the proposed reform.

Reacting to concerns raised by guest speaker Owei Lakemfa about the readiness of state police ahead of the elections, Piwuna argued that those responsible for implementing the reform were already occupied with political campaigns.

He maintained that both federal and state police would have important responsibilities in protecting voters and ensuring that elections were conducted without intimidation or violence.

The 2026 Heroes’ Day celebration also provided an opportunity for the union to recognise individuals who had contributed to its struggles and the development of Nigeria’s university system.

The annual event, held on November 12, was established in memory of former ASUU president, Professor Festus Iyayi, who died on November 12, 2013, while travelling to Kano during an ASUU strike.

Among those honoured this year was former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, who chaired the ASUU-Federal Government renegotiation committee.

Other recipients included Owelle Gilbert Chikelu, Lawrence-Pwulukai Ngbale, Professor Sulyman Abdulkareem and Professor Olu Obafemi. Posthumous awards were also presented to the late Gamaliel Onosode and Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs.

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, who attended the event, commended ASUU for its contributions to university development, particularly its advocacy for improved funding, better working conditions for lecturers and quality education.

She also described the renegotiated agreement between the union and the Federal Government as an important step towards improving industrial relations and strengthening teaching, learning and research in Nigerian universities.