‘We remain apolitical’ — ASUU bars officials from endorsing political candidates

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that it will sanction any member or official who uses the union’s name or platform to endorse political candidates or parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during the union’s 2026 Heroes’ Day celebration in Abuja, ASUU National President Professor Christopher Piwuna clarified that while individual lecturers retain their constitutional right to vote and participate in the democratic process, they must not project their personal political preferences as the collective stance of the union.

"As far as the 2027 elections are concerned, we will not ask our members to abdicate their constitutional right to vote or participate in the process. However, no member of our union has permission to use the name of ASUU to support any candidate or political party. We remain apolitical, and we are not supporting any candidate. Any official of our union found hobnobbing with political parties or individuals in a manner that compromises this position will face action because our leaders are supposed to lead by example," Piwuna stated.

Piwuna reiterated that the prohibition applies across the board to all aspirants and political affiliations at every level of government.

"ASUU is not supporting any political party. I repeat, ASUU is not supporting any individual standing for election anywhere, today, tomorrow or the day after. We remain apolitical," he emphasized.

The warning comes in the wake of controversy surrounding a September gathering in which more than 600 senior academics from public universities across northern Nigeria reportedly endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid following a meeting convened by Presidential Special Adviser on Political Matters Ibrahim Masari.

That endorsement drew sharp criticism from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which subsequently urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the participating lecturers from serving as returning and collation officers during the 2027 polls.