The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticised Governor Alex Otti’s decision to name the newly commissioned Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after Professor Nnenna Oti, describing the action as controversial, provocative, and capable of undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the APC alleged that the governor’s action amounted to what it described as an endorsement of compromise and conflict of interest, considering Professor Nnenna Oti’s role as the Returning Officer during the 2023 Abia State governorship election.
The opposition party argued that Professor Otti merely carried out an official constitutional assignment on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for which she was duly appointed and remunerated, questioning why she should receive what it termed “special recognition” from the beneficiary of the election outcome.
According to the APC, the development raises several ethical and moral concerns regarding the neutrality expected of electoral officials, insisting that no other governor in the country had named public infrastructure after electoral officers who supervised elections in their states.
The party further claimed that the “over-amplification” of Professor Nnenna Oti’s role in the 2023 governorship election had fueled public suspicion over alleged close ties between her and Governor Alex Otti, alleging that such recognition could create a dangerous precedent capable of affecting public trust in future elections.
The APC also warned that rewarding electoral officials with public honours after elections could send the wrong message ahead of the 2027 general elections, adding that such actions may be interpreted as inducement or gratification in civilized democracies.
The statement called on Professor Nnenna Otti to reject the honour if she considered herself a principled public servant, warning that failure to do so would further reinforce suspicions surrounding the credibility of the 2023 governorship election in Abia State.
The party also threatened to 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 conduct during the 2023 governorship election collation process.
The APC further referenced allegations of financial mismanagement and abuse of office reportedly linked to Professor Nnenna Otti’s administration at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), arguing that such allegations weaken attempts to portray her as a symbol of integrity.
According to the opposition party, Abia State has several distinguished patriots, technocrats and statesmen whose contributions to the state’s development are more deserving of such honour. The APC listed personalities, including Sir J.O.J. Okezie, Chief Sam Okwulehie, Sam Mbakwe, Dr. Anagha Ezikpe, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Elder Emma Adaelu, among others.
The party maintained that immortalizing an electoral officer instead of individuals with longstanding developmental contributions to the state was “an insult to Abians and a mockery of democratic values.”
The APC therefore called on Governor Alex Otti to immediately reconsider and reverse the naming of the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after Professor Nnenna Oti.
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