The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University (IMSU) chapter, to suspend its ongoing strike and return to the classroom to enable students conclude their scheduled examinations.
The party made the appeal in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, on Monday, August 10, 2026, expressing disappointment over the disruption of academic activities at the university.
ASUU-IMSU had embarked on industrial action, resulting in the suspension of academic activities and disruption of scheduled examinations.
While acknowledging the right of labour unions to embark on legitimate industrial actions to press their demands, the APC urged the university’s lecturers to explore further avenues for dialogue and peaceful resolution of their grievances with the Imo State Government.
The party particularly appealed to the lecturers to consider the academic future of the students, whom it described as innocent victims of the dispute.
According to the APC, the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma has maintained a cordial relationship with labour unions in the state and introduced what it described as worker-friendly policies.
The party cited the governor’s reported recognition by organised labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), as evidence of his administration’s support for workers.
It also highlighted the payment of what it described as the highest minimum wage in the country, alongside other policies aimed at improving workers’ welfare.
The APC said it did not consider ASUU’s demands inappropriate but noted that only a small number of state-owned universities had commenced or completed implementation of the agreement being demanded by the union.
“Out of the over 63 state universities in the country, only about six states have either begun the process of implementing this agreement or have fully implemented same,” the party said, adding that about 90 per cent of the states were yet to implement it.
The party assured ASUU-IMSU members that their demands would be addressed in due course, insisting that Imo State would not be left behind in policies relating to workers’ welfare and educational development.
The APC further urged the lecturers to return to the classroom and conclude the ongoing examinations while negotiations with the state government continue toward a mutually acceptable resolution of the outstanding issues.
“The Party therefore pleads with the leadership and members of ASUU-IMSU to return to the classroom, conclude the conduct of the scheduled examination, while they continue in negotiations with the State Government to ensure a mutually beneficial resolution of all outstanding issues that led to the strike action,” the statement said.
The party also pledged its “unwavering support and solidarity” with ASUU-IMSU in its commitment to the education and training of students in the state.
