The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed solidarity with Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze, following reports of his suspension as an academic staff member of Abia State University (ABSU).
The party, in an open letter signed by its State Chairman, Abraham Amah, said the reported suspension allegedly arose from Nwaeze’s advocacy for the rights and entitlements of members of the university community.
The PDP described the professor’s decision to speak up on issues concerning workers’ welfare as an act of courage and responsibility rather than insubordination.
According to the party, Nwaeze’s intervention was consistent with the intellectual tradition of the university, which it said includes questioning policies, demanding accountability and speaking truth to power.
The opposition party expressed concern over the reported disciplinary action against the academic and labour leader, stressing that workers, including university lecturers, have the right to demand that legitimate obligations and promises made by the government be fulfilled.
The PDP also called on the authorities of ABSU and relevant government institutions to ensure that any action taken against Nwaeze complies with due process, fairness, natural justice and applicable laws governing employment, academic freedom and labour relations.
“We wish to assure you that you are not alone,” the party said, urging the professor to remain steadfast, calm and confident in the face of the development.
The party further argued that public office confers responsibility and does not grant immunity from scrutiny, maintaining that democratic governance is strengthened when citizens and institutions are allowed to question government policies and demand accountability.
The PDP said it would continue to monitor developments surrounding the matter, noting that the issue goes beyond the individual involved to the broader question of whether academics and workers in Abia can freely express legitimate concerns about their welfare without fear of reprisal.
“Professor, remain resolute. Your voice has been heard. Your courage has been noticed. And your legitimate concerns deserve to be addressed, not silenced”, the party stated.
The PDP reaffirmed its commitment to justice, fairness, accountability and the protection of the legitimate rights of workers and academics in the state.
Read Full Letter👇👇👇
An Open Letter to Prof. Nnamdi Nwaeze
Dear Prof. Nnamdi Nwaeze ,
A Message of Solidarity from the Abia State PDP
The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) writes to express our solidarity with you following reports of your suspension as an academic staff member of Abia State University, allegedly arising from your principled advocacy for the rights and entitlements of members of the university community.
Professor, your decision to speak up and demand that the government honour its commitments to workers is not an act of insubordination. It is an expression of courage, responsibility and fidelity to the principles of justice and accountability that ought to underpin every democratic society.
As a renowned Professor of Economics and a respected member of the academic community, your intervention in matters affecting the welfare of your colleagues is entirely consistent with the intellectual tradition of the university: to question, to interrogate, to demand accountability and, where necessary, to speak truth to power.
The Abia State PDP therefore finds it deeply concerning that a member of the academic community and a labour leader could allegedly face disciplinary consequences for drawing attention to legitimate concerns over the welfare and entitlements of workers.
We wish to assure you that you are not alone.
Across Abia State, there are citizens who recognise the difference between constructive criticism and disloyalty; between responsible advocacy and misconduct; and between exercising one’s legitimate rights and abusing public trust.
We believe that public office confers responsibility, not immunity from scrutiny. Every government—regardless of political affiliation—must remain accountable to the people it serves. Workers, including university academics, are entitled to demand that legitimate promises and obligations made to them by the government be honoured.
We are particularly concerned whenever legitimate dissent is answered with punitive measures rather than dialogue. A democracy is strengthened, not weakened, when citizens and institutions are allowed to question government policies and demand explanations.
Professor Nwaeze, we urge you to remain steadfast, calm and confident in the face of this development. History has repeatedly demonstrated that those who courageously stand for justice in difficult moments are often vindicated by time.
At the same time, we call on the authorities of Abia State University and the relevant government institutions to ensure that every action taken against you is subjected to due process, fairness, natural justice and the applicable laws governing employment, academic freedom and labour relations.
The PDP will continue to monitor developments surrounding this matter with keen interest. We are confident that the circumstances surrounding your suspension will receive the attention and scrutiny of well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organisations, labour stakeholders, the academic community and other institutions committed to the defence of democratic values and fundamental rights.
This is not merely about Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze. It is about the larger question of whether citizens, academics and workers in Abia State can freely express legitimate concerns about their welfare and hold the government accountable without fear of reprisal.
Professor, remain resolute. Your voice has been heard. Your courage has been noticed. And your legitimate concerns deserve to be addressed, not silenced.
On behalf of the Abia State PDP, we stand with you in the pursuit of justice, fairness, accountability and the protection of the legitimate rights of workers and academics.
May this moment ultimately become a testament to the enduring power of courage, truth and principled leadership.
Yours sincerely,
Abraham Amah
State Chairman
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State
