APC FAULTS NAMING OF UMUAHIA BUS TERMINAL AFTER 2023 RETURNING OFFICER
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The Abia State branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the decision to name the newly opened Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after Prof. Nnenna Otti, who was 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.
A statement from the APC, released on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, said that Prof. Otti, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), was just doing a job she was paid to do by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party expressed concern that an electoral officer who was performing a duty required by the constitution was being honored by someone who benefited from the election she helped run.
The statement said, “It is disturbing and suspicious that a public officer who was just doing their job is now being honored by the very person who benefited from the election outcome they supervised.”
The APC asked why other election officers across the country, who conducted governorship elections in their own states, were not being honored in the same way.
The party argued that this decision might make people think that there was a special connection between the electoral official and the election winner, which could affect the impartiality expected of election workers.
They also said that honoring an election officer by someone who won the election could raise ethical questions and seem like a reward for the job done.
The APC urged Prof. Otti to refuse the honor, warning that not doing so could make people doubt the fairness 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.
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