The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has condemned Governor Alex Otti’s decision to name the newly commissioned Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after Prof. Nnenna Nnennaya-Otti, describing the move as “provocative, divisive and embarrassing.”
In a statement issued by the Abia APC Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the opposition party alleged that naming the facility after the professor, who served as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer during the 2023 governorship election in the state, raised ethical and credibility concerns.
The APC argued that Prof. Otti merely performed a constitutional duty for which she was appointed and paid by INEC, insisting that immortalising her by the beneficiary of the election outcome created suspicion of compromise.
“The over-amplification of Professor Nnenna Otti’s role in the Abia election points strongly to an existing relationship and mutual understanding between her and Governor Alex Otti,” the statement said.
According to the party, the governor’s action could undermine public confidence in future elections and send “the wrong message to future electoral officers posted to Abia State ahead of the 2027 elections.”
The APC further threatened to petition the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate what it described as the relationship between Governor Otti and the professor if the naming was not reversed.
The party also referenced allegations of financial mismanagement and abuse of office allegedly trailing Prof. Otti’s administration at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), where she serves as Vice Chancellor.
It maintained that Abia had several distinguished personalities whose contributions to the development of the state deserved recognition ahead of an electoral officer.
Among those listed by the APC were Sir J.O.J. Okezie, Chief Sam Okwulehie, Chief Sam Mbakwe, Dr. Anagha Ezikpe, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Elder Emma Adaelu.
The party called on Governor Otti to “immediately reconsider and reverse the undeserved immortalization of Prof. Nnenna Otti.”
However, Governor Otti defended the decision during the commissioning ceremony of the transport facility in Umuahia, saying the project was named after Prof. Otti in recognition of her courage and integrity during the 2023 governorship election.
“It is my pleasure to announce that we have officially commissioned the landmark Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia, and it is now ready for public use,” the governor said.
He described the terminal as a multimodal transport hub capable of accommodating more than 340 buses simultaneously and integrated into the state’s expanding electric bus network.
According to him, the facility was powered by sustainable infrastructure, including independent water and electricity systems.
Governor Otti said the naming of the terminal was not solely about Prof. Otti as an individual but also a tribute to electoral officials, security personnel, party agents and citizens who “resisted intimidation and defended democracy.”
“The facility is named in honour of Prof. Nnenna Nnennaya-Oti, the courageous INEC Returning Officer in the 2023 governorship election, whose integrity and patriotism remind us that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results by simply standing for the truth,” he said.
The governor added that the project reflected his administration’s commitment to modernising transportation in the state.
“With 20 electric buses already in operation and more on the way in the coming weeks, the project signals our bold vision for a modern, safe and sustainable transport system in Abia,” he stated.
He also commended the contractors, Planet Projects Limited, as well as officials of the Ministry of Transport for delivering the project, while urging residents to protect the facility from vandalism and support development efforts through regular tax payment.
