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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