ASUU ABSU Strike: Eric Opah Calls For Urgent Resolution Of Lecturers’ Grievances

Chief Eric Opah has called on the Abia State Government to urgently engage the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University (ABSU) Chapter, over the grievances that led to the declaration of an indefinite strike by the lecturers.

Opah, in a statement reacting to the industrial action, said the concerns raised by the lecturers should be of serious concern to the people of Abia State, particularly issues surrounding unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, unimplemented salary agreements, outstanding allowances and unremitted deductions.

According to him, lecturers at the university have reportedly gone months, and in some cases years, without receiving some of their earned entitlements.

He said he had initially refrained from commenting on the situation, hoping that the state government would address the issues, adding that speaking publicly about the welfare of lecturers could be interpreted as political opposition.

“But the lecturers are speaking for themselves now,” Opah said, stressing that the issues raised by ASUU should not be reduced to political disagreements.

He described the grievances as matters affecting the livelihood and dignity of university workers, noting that behind every unpaid salary was a family depending on the income of the affected worker.

“Behind every delayed promotion is a professional who has given years of his or her life to educating our children,” he said.

Opah appealed to the Abia State Government to establish the facts surrounding the grievances, determine what is owed to the lecturers and agree with ASUU on a credible plan for settling outstanding obligations.

He also expressed concern about the impact of the strike on students, saying they should not become casualties of a crisis they did not create.

“The students must not become casualties of a crisis they did not create. And our lecturers must not be forced to choose between their dignity and their duty to teach,” he said.

The former public office holder further called for the issue to be approached beyond partisan politics, arguing that the welfare of workers and the quality of education should remain matters of collective concern.

“We can disagree politically. We can contest elections passionately. But on matters that affect the dignity and livelihood of our people, we must never lose our humanity,” Opah said.

He expressed solidarity with the lecturers in their demand for fair treatment, adding that both the lecturers and students of ABSU deserved better.

“Government is ultimately about people,” he said.