By Sophia Afolabi
The naming of the newly inaugurated Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after Prof. Nnenna Oti, who served as the Returning Officer for the 2023 Abia State governorship election, has sparked controversy across the state.
Governor Alex Otti, while inaugurating the sprawling transport hub located in the heart of Umuahia named the facility after Prof. Oti, describing her as a symbol of integrity. However, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has faulted the move, branding it as “morally questionable” and a threat to the credibility of future elections.
The ultra-modern Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, a digital transport facility with the capacity to accommodate over 340 buses simultaneously, now serves as the central loading and offloading point for inter-state and intra-city transport operations within the state. The project is part of the Otti administration’s transport reform programme aimed at creating a safer, more organised and efficient transportation system.
The facility is equipped with more than 62 air conditioners, about 30 public conveniences, 22 shops, commercial outlets, a restaurant and a motel, all designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of commuters and visitors.
Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Otti declared that Abia was embracing a new era of development and modernisation.
“The days of playing small are over in Abia State. What we are building is a modern transport ecosystem that supports commerce, mobility, safety and economic prosperity for our people,” the governor said, adding that the terminal was designed with accessibility, environmental sustainability, commuter comfort and the needs of persons living with disabilities in mind.
Otti explained that the facility was named after Prof. Oti in recognition of what he described as her courage, integrity and commitment to truth during the 2023 governorship election in the state.
“Professor Nnenna Oti stood firmly on the side of truth at a critical moment in our state’s history. By doing the right thing despite enormous pressure, she restored public confidence in the electoral process and became a symbol of integrity for future generations,” he stated.
Responding, Prof. Oti appreciated the governor for the honour and reiterated the need for integrity, accountability and responsible leadership in public service.
She stressed that leaders must always stand on the side of truth and do what is right for the people, expressing hope for a Nigeria where justice, honesty and fairness would flourish. She also maintained that she ensured that votes counted during the 2023 elections.
But the Abia APC has strongly rejected the gesture, alleging that Governor Otti was rewarding Prof. Oti for the role she allegedly played during the 2023 governorship election.
In a statement issued in Umuahia by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, titled “APC Condemns the Naming of Umuahia Central Bus Terminal After Prof. Nnenna Oti,” the party described the governor’s action as “a reckless endorsement of compromise, conflict of interest and a dangerous precedent capable of eroding public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.”
The party said it was disturbing that a public officer who merely carried out an official assignment was being immortalised by the same individual who benefited from the election outcome she supervised. It added that many distinguished sons and daughters of Abia who have contributed significantly to the state’s development were more deserving of such recognition.
According to the APC, “Any gift, honour or public reward extended to a public officer before or after the discharge of official responsibility raises serious ethical and legal concerns. In civilised democracies, such actions are interpreted as inducement, gratification or reward for favourable conduct. Governor Alex Otti’s action is therefore not only morally questionable but dangerous to the future credibility of elections in Abia State.”
The opposition party insisted that neither the bus terminal nor any public monument in the state should bear Prof. Oti’s name, arguing that such recognition was undeserved. It further threatened to petition the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the relationship between Governor Otti and Prof. Oti, including her role in the 2023 governorship election, should the governor refuse to reverse the decision and the professor fail to decline the honour.
