Teachers from Offa Local Government,  Kwara State, as well as retirees of the defunct Bank of the North protested on Monday in Ilorin.

The teachers numbering about 40 stormed the headquarters of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, at Asa Dam, Ilorin protesting against alleged attempts to impose a candidate on them for the forthcoming national NUT election.

They chanted slogans, and denounced their current representative at the state level, Alhaji Rashidi Aliu, from representing Offa zone in the national NUT election.

They accused him of poor representation, high handedness and lack of concern for their welfare. Some of the slogans read, 'Listen to the cry of teachers from Offa. So do not impose Rashidi Aliu on us,'

The Chairman, Offa branch of NUT, Dr. Bello Banjo, told newsmen that they were opposed to the imposition of any candidate, especially Aliu on them.

"He is currently representing us at state level as the state treasurer. Now, he wants to represent us at the national level and we do not want him anymore," Banjo said.

The Assistant State Secretary, NUT, Kwara State branch, Mr. Aremu Rasheed, who received the protesters and their protest letter, said he would deliver their message to the state Chairman, Farunk Akanbi, and secretary, Wale Oyeniyi.

But Aliu, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, denied any attempt to impose anyone on the teachers.

He explained that he, as well as other candidates, had the right to contest the election, adding that there would be no hard feelings if he lost.

He said all the allegations by the teachers were false, adding that they had been investigated by relevant bodies and he had been found innocent.

He added, "I have been the Offa NUT chairman for eight years; I am now the state treasurer. Nobody can impose himself as a leader. Everything is based on election. The position I am contesting was zoned to Offa LG.

"Offa can present 20 teachers or more to come and contest for election. Whoever wins becomes the winner.

" There is no imposition. It is based on election. So, if they get to the election, they may reject me through their votes and if I lose, I will go back home."

Meanwhile, the retirees, numbering about 183, peacefully protested against the alleged inability of the defunct bank, now Unity Bank Plc, to pay them their retirement benefits since 2006.

They carried placards and barricaded the bank's premises during the protest.

The  Kwara State coordinator of Bank of the North pensioners, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, said they had made spirited but futile attempts to get their entitlements paid to them.

He called on the appropriate authorities, including the 19 northern governors, to come to their aid and save them from hardship.

The Zonal Controller of Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, Ilorin zone, Mr. Omotayo Simon, said their grievances were being looked into, adding that the issues would be settled.