The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it will not support any political party or candidate in the 2027 general elections.

The union also warned its officials against using its name or platform to promote political interests or endorse candidates.

ASUU president, Christopher Piwuna, stated this while speaking at the 2026 ASUU Heroes’ Day in Abuja on Thursday.

Mr Piwuna’s comments come amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and concerns over the involvement of professional associations in partisan politics.

He said members were free to exercise their constitutional rights to vote and participate in the electoral process but must not do so on behalf 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,” he said.

The ASUU president stressed that the union would not identify with any individual seeking elective office, irrespective of political affiliation or 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 said.

He also clarified that the union would not be involved in the participation of its members as electoral officers on behalf of ASUU.

Mr Piwuna said the choice of electoral integrity as the focus of the Heroes’ Day lecture was deliberate, adding that the union wanted to draw attention to the credibility, transparency and honesty of Nigeria’s electoral process.

He said the role of security agencies was critical to credible elections, particularly amid public distrust in the management of elections.

According to him, the lecture was also intended to encourage national discussions on the factors undermining transparent elections and the need to restore public confidence in the electoral process.

The ASUU president also expressed doubts about the possibility of establishing state police before the 2027 general elections, blaming the delay on political leaders’ preoccupation with electioneering campaigns.

Reacting to concerns raised by the guest speaker, Owei Lakemfa, who had questioned whether state police would become operational before the elections, Piwuna questioned the commitment of political leaders to implementing the proposed reform.

“Obviously, who is going to make sure that state police come on board between now and January? Those who are saddled with the responsibility themselves are busy flying all across the country for campaigns,” he said.

He said the police, whether federal or state, would play an important role 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.

Ms Ahmad particularly acknowledged the union’s advocacy for improved funding, better working conditions for lecturers and quality higher education.

She said the renegotiated ASUU-federal government agreement demonstrated the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of university workers, strengthening industrial harmony and improving teaching, learning and research in tertiary institutions.

The 2026 ASUU Heroes’ Day was also used to honour individuals who had contributed to the union’s struggles and the development of Nigeria’s university system.

The event, held annually on November 12, was instituted in memory of the union’s former president, Festus Iyayi, who died on November 12, 2013, while travelling to Kano during an ASUU strike.

The ASUU president had explained that the recognition of outstanding contributions was intended to inspire younger academics and future union leaders to uphold integrity, sacrifice and collective responsibility.

Among those honoured was former head of the civil service of the federation and chairman of the ASUU-federal government renegotiation committee,Yayale Ahmed, who received a standing ovation for his role in resolving the 16-year impasse in the renegotiation of the agreement.

Others honoured were Owelle Gilbert Chikelu, Lawrence-Pwulukai Ngbale, Sulyman Abdulkareem and Olu Obafemi, while posthumous awards were also presented to the late Gamaliel Onosode and Emeritus Nimi Briggs. 

(NAN)