APC faults naming of Umuahia Bus Terminal after 2023 returning officer

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

UMUAHIA — The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the naming of the newly commissioned Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after Prof. Nnenna Otti, who served as the Returning Officer for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

The party described the decision as inappropriate and capable of raising questions about the neutrality of electoral officials, insisting that the honour was undeserved and could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the APC noted that Prof. Otti, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), merely carried out an assignment for which she was appointed and remunerated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the party, it was disturbing that an electoral official who performed a constitutional duty was being immortalised by the beneficiary of the election outcome she supervised.

“It is 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,” the statement said.

The APC questioned why similar honours had not been extended to other returning officers across the country who conducted governorship elections in their respective states.

The party argued that the decision could create the impression of a relationship capable of compromising the neutrality expected of electoral officials.

It further contended that public recognition of an electoral officer by a beneficiary of an election outcome raises ethical concerns and could be interpreted as a reward for official conduct.

The APC called on Prof. Otti to reject the honour, warning that failure to do so could reinforce public suspicion about the conduct 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 Prof. Nnenna Otti, including her role during the election.

According to the APC, several political parties had raised concerns during the collation process of the election, alleging that certain actions taken by the returning officer were inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act.

The opposition party further claimed that reports of personal ties between the governor and the academic had heightened public concerns surrounding the development.

The APC also questioned the decision to honour Prof. Otti despite allegations that have reportedly trailed her administration at FUTO, arguing that such recognition was inappropriate.

The party maintained that Abia State has many distinguished citizens whose contributions to the state’s development warrant recognition, citing notable figures in politics, public service and economic development.

It therefore urged Governor Otti to reverse the decision, insisting that immortalising an electoral officer instead of individuals with long-standing records of service to the state sends the wrong message and undermines democratic values.

The state government had yet to respond to the APC’s position at the time of filing this report.

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