BREAKING: APC Knocks Otti For Naming New Bus Terminal After Ex-INEC Returning Officer

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According to a report by Daily Post on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Governor Alex Otti over his decision to name the newly commissioned Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after Professor Nnenna Oti, describing the move as controversial and capable of undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the APC said the decision was inappropriate and raised ethical questions, particularly given Professor Oti’s role as Returning Officer during the 2023 Abia State governorship election.

The opposition party argued that the electoral officer merely performed her official duties under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that her actions were part of a constitutional responsibility for which she was duly appointed and compensated. It questioned why such a figure should be singled out for public infrastructure naming by a sitting governor who benefited from the electoral outcome.

According to the APC, the honour creates room for suspicion and could be interpreted as setting a precedent that may blur the lines between electoral administration and political reward. The party further claimed that no other state government in Nigeria had named major public facilities after electoral officers who supervised elections.

The statement also alleged that the “over-emphasis” placed on Professor Oti’s role in the 2023 governorship election had contributed to public debate around her neutrality, warning that such recognition could further deepen controversy surrounding the electoral process in Abia State.

The party cautioned that gestures of this nature might send the wrong signal ahead of future elections, including the 2027 general elections, arguing that rewarding election officials with public honours could be misinterpreted in ways that undermine confidence in democratic institutions.

It further called on Professor Oti to decline the honour if she truly wished to maintain what it described as the image of a neutral public servant, insisting that acceptance of the recognition could fuel ongoing speculation.

The APC also announced its intention to petition relevant anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to examine both the circumstances surrounding the honour and the professional conduct of Professor Oti during the 2023 election collation process.

In addition, the party referenced unverified allegations regarding her past administrative record at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), arguing that such claims further cast doubt on attempts to portray her as a symbol of integrity.

The opposition maintained that Abia State has a wide range of notable figures whose contributions to governance, education, and development make them more deserving of public recognition. It listed personalities such as Sir J.O.J. Okezie, Chief Sam Okwulehie, former Governor Sam Mbakwe, Dr. Anagha Ezikpe, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Elder Emma Adaelu, among others.

The party concluded that naming a major public facility after an electoral officer, instead of individuals with long-standing developmental contributions, amounted to what it described as a misplacement of priorities and an affront to democratic values.

The APC therefore urged Governor Otti to urgently reconsider and reverse the decision regarding the naming of the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal.