By joshua 
NUT: Western Bloc Exonerates Kogi Deputy Governor from Misleading Press Release by Okun Stakeholders Forum, Insists On Truth, Unity, Progress.
The Western Bloc of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Kogi State Chapter has clarified it position made in a recent Press Conference held at the NUT House, Kabba earlier on Monday, wished to exonerate the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Comr. Joel Oyibo Salifu from the misleading Press Release issued by Okun Stakeholders Forum.
The Western bloc of Kogi NUT made the disclosure in a rejoinder after it Press conference held in Kabba. In the recent Press release signed by Ajayi Peter Oluyomi, Chairman and Alegbemi Michael Kayode, Secretary, insist on standing for Truth, Unity, Progress in the activities of the Union.
Excerpts of the new Press Release reads as follows:
PRESS RELEASE BY THE WESTERN BLOC OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF TEACHERS (NUT), KOGI STATE
Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2025
Venue: NUT Teachers House, Kabba
Occasion: Emergency Stakeholders Meeting of the Western Bloc
A Stand for Truth, Unity and Progress — Western Bloc Speaks Out on Recent Misleading Press Release by Okun Stakeholders Forum
Distinguished Members of the Press, respected Stakeholders, and beloved Teachers across Kogi State,
We, the Western Bloc of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kogi State, have called this important meeting and press briefing to address the misleading claims in defence of our collective decisions, and to set the records straight following a recent press release issued by a self-proclaimed “Kogi West Stakeholders Forum” a release that was not only misleading, but deeply divisive, and targeted at causing unnecessary tension within our union.
Let it be known today: That we will not remain silent while a few individuals with selfish motives attempt to manipulate the public, discredit our leaders, and destroy the unity we have built as teachers and as a bloc.
1. The So-Called Press Release Is Not the Voice of the Western Bloc
The document circulating in the name of “Kogi West Stakeholders Forum” is not from us — the legitimate Western Bloc leaders and delegates who are duly recognized and represented across all seven LGAs of this zone. The truth is simple: the authors of that release are disgruntled elements whose inordinate ambition cannot thrive because of it’s selfish nature, it may also interest the general public to know that 95% of that evil group are members of NIGERIA UNION OF PENSIONERS who have no stake in our great Union, the reason why their feeble attempt to hijack a legally constituted decision of the State Delegates Conference, is laughable.
2. We Stand Firmly by the Resolutions of the February 18th Western Bloc Meeting
I will be recalled that on February 18, 2025, we convened at the NUT Teachers House in Kabba, and unanimously decided to:
– Support the tenure elongation policy of eight (8) years for both state and branch executives, aligning with national best practice.
– Allow Comrade Yakubu Dauda Imam to complete his second term, as representative of the Eastern Bloc.
– Ensure that after his tenure, the leadership of the union rotates to the Western Bloc and remain in the Bloc for two consecutive term of eight years
– Reinforce key welfare programs like the Health Insurance Scheme and the Machine loan Initiative.
– Demand fair consideration of the Western Bloc in national representations and strategic committee appointments.
All these were agreed with maturity, signed by our authentic leaders, and supported by overwhelming consensus.
For the record, the NUT delegate conference resolved unequivocally in favor of two tenure of office on rotational basis for the three senatorial districts commencing from the East, and the SWEC meeting ratified the conference resolutions.
We condemn the hypocritical maneuvers of one Mr. Oberja against the sacrosanct conference decision in his attempt to cast aspersions and to undermine the decisions reached, an attempt he made by dropping names. Let it be made clear that the decision reached and ratified was a Collective Mandate
The policy reached at the highest authority of our Union was not a favour to any individual or zone. It was a strategic decision taken at the State Delegates Conference to enhance continuity, deepen leadership experience, and align with best practices at the National level.
For the avoidance of doubt, that decision was supported by all the three Senatorial zones — including we in the Western Bloc — with full understanding that the zoning rotation will follow afterwards.
5. Our Final Word: The Western Bloc stands united and we want to assure the public, the government, and all union members that:- Let it be made known that we remain, focused, and committed to the principles of justice, fairness, peace and reject any form of sentiments that will distract the Union from agreed resolutions.
– We therefore reaffirm our total support for the current leadership under Comrade Yakubu Dauda Imam.
– We stand solidly with the tenure elongation policy and the zoning arrangement already in place.
– We will continue to work in peace with all stakeholders, but will never allow few voices to hijack our collective progress.
Today, we rise to defend democracy, protect our union, and preserve the honour of true leadership. We urge the media, the public, and our fellow educators to see beyond the noise and recognize the true motive behind the recent publication, even as we tender an unreserved apology to the Deputy Governor for the inconveniences we may have caused him.
Signed:
Chairman, Western Bloc NUT Kogi State
Ajayi Peters Oluyomi
Alegbemi Michael Kayode.
Secretary, Western Bloc NUT Kogi State