The All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State chapter, has condemned the decision by Governor Alex Otti to name the newly commissioned Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after Professor Nnenna Oti.
The APC described the action as a reckless endorsement of compromise, conflict of interest, and a dangerous precedent capable of undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
New Telegraph had earlier reported that Professor Nnenna Oti served as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) returning officer in the 2023 governorship election that brought Dr Alex Otti to power as the governor of Abia State and hails from Ebonyi State.
Speaking during the commissioning of the bus terminal on Wednesday, Governor Otti explained that the terminal was named after Professor Nnenna Oti in recognition of her courage, integrity, and commitment to truth during the 2023 governorship election in Abia State.
“Professor Nnenna Oti stood firmly on the side of truth at a critical moment in our state’s history. By doing the right thing despite enormous pressure, she restored public confidence in the electoral process and became a symbol of integrity for future generations,” Governor Otti stated.
Reacting to the development, Uche Aguoru, publicity secretary of the Abia State chapter of the APC, said that Professor Oti served as the Returning Officer for the 2023 governorship election in Abia State, a constitutional responsibility for which she was duly appointed and remunerated by INEC.
Aguoru said that it is therefore disturbing and suspicious that a public officer who merely carried out an official assignment is now being immortalised by the very beneficiary of the election outcome she supervised.
“This development raises fundamental questions. Was Professor Nnenna Otti the only returning officer in Nigeria during the 2023 elections?
“Were there no ward collation officers, local government collation officers, or other electoral officials who also discharged their duties?
“Why are the other 35 governors across the federation not naming public monuments after electoral officers assigned to their states if this is truly about integrity and service?”
Aguoru said that the over-amplification of Professor Oti’s role in the Abia election points strongly to an existing relationship and mutual understanding between her and Governor Alex Otti.
The APC spokesperson said that by this singular act, Governor Alex Otti has exposed what many people in Abia have long suspected: that there exists a hidden nexus capable of compromising the integrity and neutrality expected of an electoral umpire.
He said that any gift, honour, or public reward extended to a public officer before or after the discharge of official responsibility raises serious ethical and legal concerns.
Aguoru said that in civilised democracies, such actions are interpreted as inducement, gratification, or reward for favourable conduct and added that Governor Alex Otti’s action is therefore not only morally questionable but also dangerous to the future credibility of elections in Abia State.
The Abia APC spokesperson called on Professor Oti, who considers herself a thoroughbred academic and principled public servant, to immediately reject the honour, stressing that failure to do so will reinforce the widespread belief that the 2023 Abia governorship election was compromised.
“Should this embarrassing action persist, the APC will not hesitate to formally petition the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the relationship between Governor Alex Otti and Professor Nnenna Oti, including her activities during the 2023 governorship election in Abia State.
“Nigerians will recall that several political parties had raised serious concerns during the collation process, accusing Professor Otti of disregarding established electoral procedures and taking unilateral decisions inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act.
“Abians are also not ignorant of the reported maternal relationship and close personal ties alleged to exist between the governor and Professor Nnenna Otti, a situation that further deepens public suspicion surrounding this entire development.”
The APC spokesperson further alleged that it is even more shocking that Governor Otti seeks to portray Professor Nnenna Oti as a symbol of integrity despite the avalanche of allegations trailing her administration at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), where students and members of the university community have repeatedly accused her administration of financial mismanagement and abuse of office.
“These allegations, already in the public domain, severely weaken the false image of sainthood the governor is desperately trying to manufacture around her personality.
“A woman facing multiple allegations of financial impropriety and administrative misconduct cannot suddenly become the moral compass of Abia State simply because she declared Alex Otti the winner of an election.
“By naming a major public infrastructure after her, Governor Otti has only reinforced growing public belief that he is paying back favours for the role she allegedly played during the 2023 elections.”
Aguoru said that the action is a dangerous precedent that could send the wrong message to future electoral officers posted to Abia State ahead of the 2027 elections and therefore asked when favourable electoral outcomes begin to attract rewards and state-sponsored recognition.
“The APC, therefore, rejects and condemns in totality the naming of the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal or any public monument whatsoever after Professor Nnenna Otti. Such honour is undeserved, provocative, divisive, and embarrassing to the people of Abia State.
“Abia State is blessed with genuine patriots, statesmen, technocrats, and selfless leaders whose contributions to the growth and development of the state remain unmatched.
“Men such as Sir J.O.J. Okezie, Chief Sam Okwulehie, Chief Sam Mbakwe, Dr Anagha Ezikpe, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Elder Emma Adaelu, and many others made historic sacrifices for the progress of our people and are yet to receive such recognition.”
He said that immortalising an electoral officer instead of proven builders of the state is not only an insult to Abia people but also a mockery of democratic values.
“The APC condemns it and vehemently rejects it, and we call on Governor Alex Otti to immediately reconsider and reverse the undeserved immortalisation of Prof. Nnenna Oti.”
