Abia Group Threatens to Occupy MOUAU Over Delay in Nto’s Promotion
A pressure group from Abia State has threatened to physically occupy the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), over what it described as an unjustifiable two-year delay in the promotion of Dr. Philips Nto to the rank of professor.
The group, known as Old Bende Young Professionals, expressed anger over the non-release of Dr. Nto’s promotion, which it said has been due since 2021. In a statement issued in Umuahia, the group accused the Chairman of MOUAU’s Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, of grave injustice and deliberate victimisation.
According to the group, the prolonged delay amounts not only to personal injustice against Dr. Nto but also to a collective insult to the people of Abia State. They described it as provocative for an indigene of Enugu State to come into Abia State and allegedly oppress one of its own.
The statement, signed by the group’s Chairman, Barrister Chima Ogbonna, and its Secretary, Chief Dike Okwara, issued an ultimatum to the Governing Council Chairman to either approve or formally reject Dr. Nto’s promotion at the next council meeting or face massive protests.
“The lamentation of our hardworking son over the unjust delay in releasing his promotion—especially when his peers and even juniors have already been elevated to professors—is heartbreaking and provocative,” the group said. “We find it difficult to comprehend how someone from Enugu State would come to Abia to oppress an indigene.”
The group further alleged that some staff members of MOUAU had been promoted to the rank of professor without supervising postgraduate students, while Dr. Nto, who they said has discharged his duties creditably, was being penalised due to internal political considerations linked to Enugu State.
They maintained that their investigations revealed that Comrade Edeh was deliberately frustrating Dr. Nto’s promotion out of personal bias and vendetta, rather than any deficiency in qualifications.
Describing the situation as ironic, the group noted that Abia staff of MOUAU had supported Edeh since his arrival at the institution, only for him to allegedly turn around and victimise “one of our brightest stars.”
“Dr. Philips Nto is a prominent son of Abia State who has served meritoriously as a Commissioner and as a Provost of a tertiary institution,” the group said. “We cannot stand by and watch anyone tarnish his unblemished career and reputation.”
The group also called on the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Peter Mbah, to intervene by calling Edeh to order, warning that failure to do so could lead to interstate tension.
Reiterating its resolve, the group warned that it would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.
“We are prepared for a mother of all protests to occupy MOUAU if Dr. Philips Nto’s promotion is not released at the next council sitting,” the statement read. “We have other follow-up actions planned. Edeh should not set a peaceful institution on fire in pursuit of selfish and vindictive goals.”