Professor Nnamdi Chinwendu Nwaeze of Abia State University has vowed to resist any attempt to silence or victimise him after the university lifted his suspension, alleging that the decision was only a temporary reprieve.
Nwaeze made the allegations on Friday following his facebook post titled “Lifting of My Suspension: A Greek Gift to Retreat but No Surrender.”
He said the recall did not resolve the issues surrounding his suspension, which began on August 12, 2026, but merely gave the authorities time to pursue what he described as a premeditated case against him.
According to him, the decision was intended to prevent the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abia State University chapter, from resuming its suspended industrial action after the expiration of the union’s September 4 ultimatum.
He also alleged that the university authorities were using the period to “shop for non-existent offences” that could be used to silence, dismiss or discredit him.
“The recall letter is, therefore, a mere Greek gift offered to firstly prevent ASUU-ABSU from resuming the suspended strike at the expiration of the September 4 ultimatum given,” he said.
“Secondly, but more importantly, they offered this Greek gift in order to buy time and continue to shop for non-existent offences that could be ascribed to me in order to achieve a premeditated and prejudiced outcome, either to silence me, sack me, or drag my highly reputed name through the mud.”
Nwaeze said he was not opposed to legitimate investigations, but insisted that he had committed no misconduct in his service to the university.
He alleged that his ordeal was politically motivated, saying he had appeared before several panels over the past two to three years without being indicted.
“While I am in no way unblemished or infallible, neither am I above investigations that are well-intended and properly constituted, it is my conviction that I have not committed any offence or misconduct in my services to Abia State University and by extension, society. My ordeal is politically engineered,” he said.
The professor appealed to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to call what he described as his “overzealous machinery” to order.
Although Nwaeze said he did not believe the governor had personally authorised anyone to persecute him, he urged Otti to intervene and stop what he described as continued persecution through the university.
He commended the governor for improving staff welfare at the institution, noting that he had previously advocated better conditions for university workers. He also thanked Otti for lifting the suspension, but described the decision as only a “momentary milestone.”
Nwaeze further denied disrespecting or defaming the governor, saying his public engagements on governance and other topical issues had remained civil and educational.
He vowed to resist any attempt to intimidate or silence him.
“I will stoutly resist every attempt to intimidate, hoodwink, malign, victimize, or cow me into silence and oblivion. I believe that I have the legal, mental, and moral fortitude to defend myself and guard my hard-earned credibility and integrity,” he said.
The lecturer also expressed concern for his safety, alleging that he was aware of threats to his security within and around the university and Abia State.
He said lawful measures were being taken to protect his life and pledged to remain vigilant and circumspect.
Nwaeze thanked the leadership of ASUU-ABSU, led by Dr Chidi Slessor Mba, and members of the union for their solidarity.
He concluded, “It is only a tree that would hear that it will be cut down and remain static.”
