The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has criticised Governor Alex Otti over his decision to name the newly inaugurated Umuahia Central Bus Terminal after the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof. Nnenna Oti.

The opposition party described the gesture as ethically questionable and politically provocative, warning that it could undermine public confidence in the neutrality of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The APC also faulted the recognition given to Prof. Oti, who served as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer during the 2023 Abia State governorship election.

According to the party, the honour raises concerns about propriety, arguing that it may be interpreted as compromising the independence expected of electoral officials.

Governor Otti had on Wednesday inaugurated several road projects across Umuahia North and Umuahia South Local Government Areas as part of activities marking his third anniversary in office.

During the same event, he also commissioned the newly constructed Umuahia Central Bus Terminal and named it after Prof. Oti, citing her courage, integrity, and commitment to truth during the 2023 governorship election.

The roads commissioned include the Orpet–Umuafai–Lodu–Ahiaeke–Ndume Road, Ahiaeke–Okwuta–Bende Road (renamed J.O.J. Okezie Road), Madonna Hospital Road in Afara, Justice Okoroafor Close in Afara, and Library Avenue Road in Umuahia North. Others are the Umubioko–Amakama Road, Nsukwe–Umuogo Road, and Tower–Onuimo Road, now renamed Uma Ukpai Road, in Umuahia South.

Speaking at the events, Governor Otti thanked residents for their patience during the construction of the road projects and said they were part of his administration’s broader development agenda.

He described the “Prof. Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal” as a symbol of a new Abia, noting that it reflected progress beyond basic infrastructure provision.

Otti said the transport terminal aligns with his administration’s vision of building a modern and organised transport system capable of driving economic growth and improving mobility across the state.

He explained that the facility, which can accommodate more than 340 buses at a time, forms part of efforts to create a safer and more efficient transport network.

“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,” the governor said.

In her response, Prof. Oti thanked the governor for the honour and emphasised the importance of integrity, accountability, and responsible leadership in public service.

She stressed the need for leaders to consistently uphold truth and justice, expressing hope for a Nigeria where honesty and fairness prevail in governance.

However, in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the Abia APC strongly condemned the decision, describing it as “a reckless endorsement of compromise, conflict of interest, and a dangerous precedent capable of undermining public trust in the electoral system.”

The party maintained that Prof. Oti’s role as INEC returning officer was simply an official assignment and should not warrant such recognition from a beneficiary of the election outcome.

“It is, therefore, 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 the motive behind the honour, arguing that similar recognition had not been extended to electoral officials in other parts of the country.

It also alleged that the gesture suggested a possible relationship or understanding between the governor and the electoral officer, raising concerns about perception and ethics.

The party further urged Prof. Oti to reject the honour, warning that failure to do so could deepen public suspicion around the 2023 governorship election.

It also called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the honour and Prof. Oti’s conduct during the election.

The APC insisted that several prominent Abia citizens deserved recognition more than an electoral official and urged Governor Otti to reconsider and reverse the decision.