Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered an investigation into a reported in which a student was allegedly sent home from Odomola Junior Secondary School in Epe for having a sticker of the Labour Party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on her bag. The student, Barinada Marvellous, was reportedly handed an exeat letter signed by the school's principal, accusing her of campaigning for Peter Obi "against the wish of Lagosians."
In response to the incident, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, stated that Governor Sanwo-Olu had directed the Ministry of Education to investigate the matter. The Commissioner also confirmed that the principal involved in the incident had been removed from her position, pending clarification of the event. Adefisayo emphasized that the Lagos State Government and its agencies would never instruct school personnel to act in a politically biased manner, and that the reason for sending the student home was unacceptable, if true.
Adefisayo further noted that the Ministry of Education operates a public school system that is free from political affiliations and biases. She assured the public that a thorough investigation of the incident would be carried out, and that anyone found to be culpable would be subjected to disciplinary measures in accordance with civil service rules.
It should be noted that another school principal, who was seen in a video promoting her political choice to pupils and whose image was posted on social media, has also been appropriately dealt with, according to Adefisayo.
