Abia APC Condemns Suspension of Prof. Nnamdi Nwaeze, Demands Immediate Recall

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the suspension of Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze by the authorities of Abia State University, describing the action as punitive and an attempt to silence a university lecturer who spoke out against alleged poor welfare conditions facing academic staff.

The State APC Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, stated this on Friday at a press conference at the Party Secretariat, where he called on the Abia State Government and the university management to immediately reverse the suspension and recall the professor.

Aguoru said Nwaeze’s suspension followed his public comments and social media posts in which he raised concerns about governance and the welfare of lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions.

According to him, the professor’s intervention exposed what he described as the deplorable conditions under which lecturers at the state’s higher institutions worked.

Aguoru particularly questioned the continued payment of some university professors under what he described as an obsolete 2009 salary structure, alleging that some lecturers earn less than N400,000 monthly in 2026 while being subjected to newer tax regimes.

He described the situation as unacceptable, arguing that lecturers could not be expected to deliver quality education when their remuneration had failed to reflect current economic realities.

The APC spokesman said the party was concerned that instead of addressing the issues raised by Nwaeze, the authorities chose to suspend him.

He demanded the immediate discontinuation of what he called the “unjust and punitive suspension,” payment of outstanding salaries, allowances, promotion arrears and other entitlements owed to lecturers and workers in the state’s tertiary institutions.

Aguoru also called for an immediate review of the salary structures applicable to workers in the state’s higher institutions to ensure that they are paid according to duly approved remuneration frameworks.

He further urged the state government to stop what he described as the victimisation, intimidation and harassment of civil servants who speak out on issues relating to workers’ welfare, governance and public interest.

According to him, the concerns raised by Nwaeze were serious issues that required government attention rather than disciplinary action against the lecturer.

“We must continue as citizens of this state to demand justice, accountability and transparency, and respect for the dignity of every human being, including our civil servants,” Aguoru said.

He also appealed to members of the press to lend their voices to the issue, warning that the alleged poor treatment of lecturers could further undermine education in the state.

Aguoru argued that poor remuneration could make it difficult to attract and retain competent academics, while also creating additional pressure on lecturers struggling to cope with the country’s rising cost of living.

He also linked the controversy to industrial action in the state’s university system, saying Abia State University was among the institutions affected by directives for lecturers to embark on strike over some of the issues highlighted.

The APC spokesman therefore urged the state government to engage the affected lecturers, address their grievances and recall Nwaeze without further delay.

Aguoru also used the press conference to raise concerns over the alleged accumulation of pension and gratuity arrears owed to retired workers in Abia State.

He said retirees who spent their productive years serving the state deserved to receive their pensions and gratuities promptly after retirement.

According to him, reports that some retirees were being owed as much as 30 months in pension arrears were unacceptable, particularly amid increased revenue accruing to the state.

He urged the state government to prioritise the payment of pensioners and workers, stressing that retirees should not be left struggling after decades of service.

Aguoru also questioned reports that some civil servants in the state were still receiving salaries as low as N30,000 to N40,000 monthly, describing such payments as inadequate in the face of current economic realities.

He called on the government to urgently review the situation and ensure that workers and retirees receive their entitlements.

He urged the State Government to demonstrate empathy and transparency by addressing the grievances of lecturers, workers and retirees.