Di Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) don condemn di arrest and detention of two leaders of di Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University (IMSU) branch, over di ongoing strike by lecturers.
Di organisation talk say Comrade Chinedu Egbuchu, Vice Chairman of ASUU-IMSU, and Comrade Nnamdi Chubo, di branch’s Investment Secretary, dem arrest and detain by police officers for Owerri on August 12, 2026.
For one statement wey sign by di National Chairperson, Comrade Rufus Olusesan, and National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Chinedu Bosah, CDWR say di arrests dey connected to di lecturers’ ongoing industrial action. Di organisation condemn di arrests, describing dem as attack on workers’ rights, academic freedom and democracy.
“CDWR condemn in totality di arrest and detention of these union leaders for carrying out dem legitimate duties,” di organisation talk. “E be direct assault on democracy, academic freedom, and di fundamental right of workers to organise and to embark on strike and protest for defence of dem rights and interest.”
CDWR argue say di government suppose address di issues behind di industrial action instead of resorting to use of security agencies. “A strike be constitutionally guaranteed and inalienable right, not crime,” e talk. “To respond to di demands of lecturers with police brutality na to show contempt for education, for dialogue, and for di future of public universities for Imo State.”
According to di organisation, di IMSU lecturers embark on di strike over unresolved issues wey relate to staff welfare, funding of public education and di sustainability of di university system. E say di dispute affect not only lecturers but also students, parents and oda stakeholders wey depend on di public education system.
CDWR warn say treating academics and teachers as adversaries fit get wider consequences for di country education sector. “Dis na dangerous step for di future of our country given di fact say no society fit develop when e treat im teachers and intellectuals as enemies of di state,” e talk.
Di organisation commend di national, zonal and branch leadership of ASUU for intervening for di matter and securing di release of di two union leaders. E also call on di Nigeria Police Force to end wetin e describe as harassment of ASUU members.
CDWR urge di Imo State Government, wey Governor Hope Uzodimma dey lead, to engage di university lecturers and work towards resolving dem grievances. “We call on Mr Hope Uzodimma-led Imo State Government to demonstrate serious and sincere commitment by urgently engaging ASUU-IMSU with view to meeting dem demands and improving di standard of education at all levels,” di organisation talk.
CDWR express solidarity with ASUU-IMSU and oda workers wey dey seek better working conditions, and e urge students, parents, civil society organisations and labour unions to support di lecturers’ demands. E warn about di broader implications of di dispute, saying: “An attack on ASUU na attack on education. An attack on education na attack on di future of our pikin dem.”
