The Old Bende Young Professionals, a pressure group, has announced plans to physically occupy the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike, Nigeria, if the Governing Council fails to promote Dr. Philips Nto to a Professor. The group claims that the delay in his promotion, which they allege has been due since 2021, is a significant act of victimization by the Council Chairman, Fidelis Edeh. This situation has incited a sense of injustice among the supporters of Dr. Nto, who see the non-release of his promotion as a collective affront to the people of Abia State.

As voiced by Chairman Chima Ogbonna and Secretary Chief Dike Okwara, the Old Bende Young Professionals characterized the delay as an egregious provocation, arguing that it epitomizes a broader issue of regional discord within Nigeria. The group's statement points to Dr. Nto's plight as not merely a personal grievance but as a representation of the struggles faced by Abia State indigenes, particularly at the hands of officials not from their region. This narrative has intensified feelings of regionalism, highlighting the complexities of local governance and promotion processes within Nigerian educational institutions.

The threat of occupation signifies a growing frustration among community members regarding perceived injustices and the need for accountability within educational administrations. As protests and occupation strategies become a regular feature of public discourse in Nigeria, this incident underscores the tension surrounding educational policies, promotions, and regional equity, suggesting that local actors are prepared to take more direct actions to demand fairness and recognition.