The Suspension of Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze Is Nothing Short Of Draconian – By Samuel Okenyi

The Suspension of Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze Is Nothing Short Of Draconian – By Samuel Okenyi

The suspension of Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze is nothing short of a draconian reaction to dissent and a disturbing attempt to send a message that anyone who dares to question those in power should prepare for punishment. This is not how a democracy should operate, and this is certainly not how a citadel of learning should behave. If a professor of Economics cannot analyse government policies, question decisions or demand accountability without attracting institutional sanctions, then we need to ask ourselves: what exactly are we afraid of?

What is even more shocking is the sudden amnesia of those who are now celebrating the restriction of free speech. Where were these defenders of silence yesterday when they were firing from all cylinders, criticising governments, attacking policies and demanding accountability? Freedom of speech does not change its meaning because the political party in power has changed. You cannot demand the microphone when you are in opposition and then snatch the microphone from everybody else when you get close to power. That is not democracy; that is political hypocrisy.

Prof. Nwaeze is an economist and an academic. His job is to think, analyse, question and contribute to public discourse. He is not required to clap for every government policy simply because he works in a state-owned university. Employment does not cancel citizenship. A university appointment does not erase constitutional rights. If he has breached a specific university regulation, bring the evidence, follow due process and let the appropriate panel determine the matter. But if the real offence is that he spoke critically about government, then somebody needs to explain when criticism became a crime.

Let us be very clear: Abia State University is a citadel of learning, not a political enforcement agency. The institution must not allow political pressure, partisan interests or the “powers from above” to dictate who speaks, who keeps quiet and who gets punished. A university that cannot tolerate criticism has already surrendered the very intellectual freedom it was created to protect.

And to the young people cheering this development because they support the government, be careful what you celebrate today. Political power is temporary. Governments change. Alliances change. Today’s powerful man can become tomorrow’s ordinary citizen. When institutions are weakened to silence someone you dislike, you may eventually discover that the same weapon has been placed in the hands of someone who dislikes you.

Prof. Nnamdi Nwaeze should not be intimidated into silence. Let the investigation, if necessary, be transparent. Let the allegations be specific. Let the evidence speak. Let due process prevail. But don’t turn a university into a theatre of political intimidation.

We cannot continue to preach democracy with our mouths while practising intolerance with our actions.

You cannot silence every voice. You cannot suspend every critic. You cannot intimidate every citizen. And you certainly cannot kill an idea by suspending the person who expressed it.

The people are watching. The academic community is watching. History is watching.

Samuel Okenyi
13/08/2027