The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned its officials against endorsing political parties or candidates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, insisting that the union will remain politically neutral.
The National President of ASUU, Professor Christopher Piwuna, gave the warning at the union’s 2026 Heroes’ Day celebration in Abuja on Thursday, November 12.
Piwuna said members were free to exercise their constitutional rights to vote and participate in the electoral process but must not use the union’s name or platform to promote political interests.
He warned that any union official found associating with political parties or candidates in a manner that compromised ASUU’s neutrality would face disciplinary action.
He said, “No member of our union has permission to use the name of ASUU to support any candidate or political party.”
The ASUU president further stressed that the union would not endorse any individual seeking elective office, regardless of political affiliation or the level of government involved.
He also clarified that the union would not participate in the deployment of its members as electoral officers on its behalf.
Explaining the choice of electoral integrity as the focus of this year’s Heroes’ Day lecture, Piwuna said the union wanted to draw attention to the need for credibility, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He identified the role of security agencies as critical to conducting credible elections, particularly amid concerns about public confidence in election management.
The union president also expressed doubts about the possibility of establishing state police before the 2027 general elections, attributing the delay to the attention political leaders were giving to electioneering activities.
Responding to concerns raised by the guest speaker, Owei Lakemfa, about the readiness of state police ahead of the elections, Piwuna questioned whether political leaders would prioritise the proposed reform.
He maintained that both federal and state police would have important roles to play in ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, commended ASUU for its contributions to the development of Nigeria’s university system.
She acknowledged the union’s advocacy for improved university funding, better working conditions for lecturers and quality higher education.
Ahmad also said the renegotiated agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government demonstrated efforts to address the concerns of university workers, strengthen industrial harmony and improve teaching, learning and research in tertiary institutions.
The annual Heroes’ Day celebration, held on November 12, honours individuals who have contributed to the union’s struggles and the development of Nigeria’s university system.
The event was instituted in memory of former ASUU president, Festus Iyayi, who died on November 12, 2013, while travelling to Kano during an ASUU strike.
This year’s ceremony also recognised several individuals for their contributions to the union and the university system, including former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and chairman of the ASUU-Federal Government renegotiation committee, Yayale Ahmed.
Other recipients included Owelle Gilbert Chikelu, Lawrence-Pwulukai Ngbale, Sulyman Abdulkareem and Olu Obafemi, while posthumous awards were presented to the late Gamaliel Onosode and Emeritus Nimi Briggs.
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