KNUT Secretary General Slams Wilson Sossion Over Comeback Bid in Union Elections
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, March 24 — just hours after Sossion announced his intention to return to office — Oyuu dismissed the move as unconstitutional, arguing that former members cannot simply rejoin and reclaim leadership positions.
Oyuu, who was elected in June 2021 to lead the union for a five-year term after Sossion’s nearly decade-long tenure, said the KNUT constitution clearly outlines eligibility requirements for candidates and membership status.
“I’m not even aware if he can vie or not. The constitution of KNUT does not allow that, and we will follow the constitution to the letter. You cannot recycle yourself and say that you can vie if you are not allowed by the constitution,” Oyuu told reporters.
He further insisted that Sossion, having exited the union’s membership, should not interfere with its internal processes.
“If you are not a member, please talk from outside the fence. Don’t talk from inside the compound. It is for the constitution to qualify you whether you are a worthy opponent or not. And you cannot join the union through a shortcut,” he added.
Oyuu also dismissed claims that he himself is ineligible to seek another term due to his age, urging critics to consult the union’s governing document.
“Some are saying that I’m 60 and I can’t vie, please go read the constitution, it is a 29-page document — talk to it,” he said.
Positioning himself as a voice responding to grassroots frustrations, Sossion likened his return to a biblical mission.
“I think I’m just like Moses, who was looking after Jethro’s goats in the wilderness. I’ve heard the cries of my teachers in Egypt, and I’ll go back. Moses was never stopped from going to Egypt. He went to Egypt and took the children of Israel out of Egypt,” he said.
The former SG also challenged Oyuu’s eligibility, arguing that union leadership should be reserved for individuals still actively engaged in the teaching profession.
“Once you are past retirement age, leave the union. We have a bad culture in the country where retirees are manning the union. And that is wrong. They cannot speak for their grandchildren,” Sossion added.
Labour experts note that disputes over eligibility and constitutional interpretation are common in union politics, particularly ahead of elections where leadership stakes are high.
The forthcoming polls will determine the direction of the union at a time when teachers face mounting challenges, including curriculum reforms, workload concerns, and ongoing negotiations over remuneration and benefits.
Neither side has indicated willingness to back down, raising the prospect of legal challenges if Sossion formally submits his nomination papers and they are rejected.
As the election date approaches, teachers across the country are watching closely, aware that leadership changes at KNUT often influence not only union policy but also broader education sector dynamics.
For now, the contest appears set to intensify, with constitutional interpretation, generational leadership questions, and personal rivalries converging in what could become one of the union’s most closely watched elections in recent years.
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KNUT Secretary General Slams Wilson Sossion Over Comeback Bid in Union Elections
