The 2027 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Chief Eric Opah, has urged the state government to urgently engage the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University (ABSU) chapter, to resolve the issues that led to its indefinite strike.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Opah made the call in a statement, expressing concern over the welfare of lecturers and the impact of the industrial action on students.
He urged the government to establish the facts surrounding the lecturers’ grievances and provide a clear plan for resolving outstanding obligations reportedly involving unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, unimplemented salary agreements, allowances and unremitted deductions.
Opah said the dispute should not be treated as a political issue, stressing that lecturers have families and responsibilities and deserve to receive their earned entitlements.
He also warned that students should not become victims of the disagreement between the university workers and government, urging both parties to return to dialogue and find a lasting solution.
The APC candidate called on political actors and the government to prioritise the welfare of workers and students regardless of political differences.
He said lecturers should be treated with dignity and that resolving the dispute would help restore academic activities and protect the interests of students at ABSU.
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