Abia APC Condemns Nwaeze’s Suspension, Accuses Otti Government of Intimidation

A university professor’s suspension has opened a fresh political battle in Abia, as the APC accuses the Otti administration of silencing criticism over workers’ welfare.

The suspension of a university professor over comments on workers’ welfare has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Abia State, with the opposition APC accusing the Alex Otti administration of trying to silence criticism and intimidate workers who speak out.

The Abia State APC has condemned the suspension of Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze by Abia State University, accusing the Alex Otti administration of intimidating critics and failing to address concerns over lecturers’ welfare, salaries and alleged arrears.

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the suspension of Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze by Abia State University (ABSU), describing the action as “disturbing” and an alleged attempt to intimidate and victimise a critic of government policies.

The party also accused the administration of Governor Alex Otti of restricting dissent and failing to adequately address concerns over the welfare of lecturers and other workers in the state.

The allegations were contained in a statement signed by the Abia APC Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, and made available to journalists.

According to the party, Prof. Nwaeze was suspended after raising concerns about the welfare of lecturers and making comments considered “uncomplimentary” to the governor.

The APC said the development raises concerns about the freedom of public employees to speak on issues affecting their welfare.

“Why should Prof. Nwaeze be punished for speaking out about the plight of workers?” the party asked.

The opposition party further claimed that a professor at ABSU reportedly takes home less than ₦400,000 monthly, while professors in some other states earn about ₦1.4 million.

It also questioned why lecturers at the university are allegedly still being paid under the 2009 ASUU/FG salary structure while newer salary arrangements have been implemented in some other institutions.

The APC also raised concerns about the reported application of the 2024 tax regime to workers who, according to the party, are still being paid under an older salary structure.

The party described the situation as “unconscionable”, arguing that workers should not be subjected to current tax burdens while allegedly remaining on obsolete salary structures.

APC Raises 44-Month Salary Arrears Claim

More seriously, the APC alleged that some members of staff are owed salaries for as long as 44 months.

However, the party did not provide supporting documents for the claim in its statement.

The APC argued that if the allegations are incorrect, the appropriate response should be for the government and university authorities to provide the facts and clarify the situation.

“If they are true,” the party said, the response should include an investigation, corrective measures and payment of legitimate outstanding entitlements rather than the suspension of the professor who brought the concerns into public attention.

Party Accuses Otti Government of Intimidating Workers

The Abia APC further accused the Otti administration of creating an environment in which workers allegedly fear speaking publicly about their welfare.

It claimed that Abia workers have faced “severe economic hardship” and concerns over job security since the administration came into office.

The party argued that Prof. Nwaeze’s suspension could have a wider effect by discouraging civil servants and other public employees from raising concerns about working conditions.

The APC also recalled Governor Otti’s activities as a private citizen, noting that he previously used national newspapers to express criticism of past administrations.

The party therefore questioned why similar criticism should now attract what it described as punitive action.

APC Makes Five Demands

The opposition party called on the Abia State Government to immediately:

1. Recall Prof. Nnamdi Nwaeze and discontinue his suspension.
2. Pay all verified outstanding salaries, allowances, promotion arrears and other legitimate entitlements owed to lecturers and workers in the state’s higher institutions.
3. Review the salary structures applicable to university workers and ensure that approved remuneration arrangements are implemented.
4. Stop what it described as the victimisation and intimidation of workers who raise concerns about welfare and governance.
5. Promote accountability, transparency and respect for workers’ rights across the state.

The APC said it would continue to demand accountability and better treatment for workers and residents of Abia State.

“Abia State belongs to all of us, not to any individual, political party or administration,” the party said.

It added that public office holders should remember that political power is temporary, while the consequences of decisions made in office can have lasting effects.

The Abia APC concluded by expressing solidarity with workers, lecturers and other citizens who, according to the party, are subjected to punishment or intimidation for demanding “justice, dignity, transparency and good governance.”

It will be recalled that the management of Abia State University, Uturu, on Thursday suspended Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze of the Department of Economics over social media comments concerning the welfare of lecturers at the institution.

According to a statement by the university’s Deputy Registrar and Public Relations Officer, Chijioke Nwogu, the suspension followed social media posts allegedly “inimical to the interests of the University and uncomplimentary to the Visitor of the University.” Management subsequently constituted an investigative panel, with the suspension taking immediate effect pending the outcome of the investigation.

Nwaeze had alleged that ABSU lecturers were among the least-paid university teachers in Nigeria, claiming that they were still being paid under the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government salary structure while being taxed according to the 2024 tax rate. He further alleged that newer salary structures approved in 2024 and 2025 had not been implemented.

The professor also claimed that lecturers promoted between 2023 and 2026 had not received salaries corresponding to their new ranks, while some staff were owed salaries dating back up to 44 months. He alleged that deducted union dues were not being remitted to ASUU and that lecturers had never received Earned Academic Allowances.

Among other claims, Nwaeze alleged that about N163 million in cooperative deductions remained unpaid and that professors at ABSU earned significantly less than their counterparts in federal and other state universities. He questioned how some professors could earn below N400,000 monthly, noting that a commercial tricycle operator earning N15,000 daily could potentially make more.

He further alleged that over 85 per cent of lecturers could no longer afford to drive their cars and were increasingly relying on personal savings, borrowing, rental income and intellectual-property royalties to support themselves and their work.

Nwaeze concluded that rather than receiving government support, “staff are the ones subsidising the state government.” Management, however, said the investigative panel would examine the allegations and determine the appropriate course of action.

Editor’s note: The claims concerning Prof. Nwaeze’s suspension, lecturers’ salaries, salary arrears, tax treatment and alleged victimisation are allegations made by the Abia APC in its statement. Responses from the Abia State Government and ABSU would provide important context and should be included if available.