UMUAHIA, Nigeria (FN) — Abia State Governor Alex Otti on Wednesday inaugurated the newly completed Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, a multimodal transport facility in the state capital, and named it after Prof. Nnenna Nnannaya-Oti, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Otti said the decision was in recognition of her courage and integrity during the 2023 governorship election, when she served as the Independent National Electoral Commission returning officer. Her role was widely praised after she resisted pressure to manipulate results, declaring Otti the winner in a contest marked by tension and allegations of interference.
“This terminal has been named after Professor Nnenna Nnannaya-Oti, the courageous INEC returning officer who demonstrated unflinching integrity in the discharge of her duties during a high-stakes election assignment here in Abia,” Otti said. He added that the honor symbolized all individuals who resisted electoral manipulation.
“In 2023, through her courageous disposition of standing firmly by the truth, she reminded us that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results by simply saying no,” he said.
The governor noted that the recognition also extended to electoral officials, security agencies and citizens who upheld the integrity of the process. “She’s just a representative of all of you—INEC staff who never bent, party officials who didn’t give in, security agencies, people who said no to intimidation,” he said.
The Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, designed to accommodate more than 340 buses, is part of Otti’s broader urban transport reforms. He said the project reflects his administration’s shift from basic infrastructure delivery to building an integrated transport system. “The days of playing small is over. We shall no longer confine ourselves to the margins,” Otti said.
The governor disclosed that the system would be supported by electric bus services, with 20 already in operation and more expected in phases. He urged residents to protect the facility, maintain order and pay taxes, warning against vandalism and waste disposal violations.
Transport Commissioner Chimezie Ukegbu described the terminal as a milestone in the state’s reform agenda, saying it would reduce congestion, improve safety and boost economic activity.
Prof. Oti, in her remarks, said she acted according to her conscience during the election. “I simply did what I’ve done all my life—to do the right thing. The mandate of the people must stand,” she said.
The event also featured a minute of silence in honor of the late former Commissioner for Transport, Sonny Onwuma.
Prof. Nnenna Nnannaya-Oti is the first female Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. A professor of soil science and environmental conservation, she became a national figure during the 2023 elections when, as INEC returning officer for Abia State, she resisted alleged pressure to alter results. Her insistence on transparency was hailed as a turning point in the state’s political history.
Governor Alex Otti is an economist and former bank chief who entered politics with a reformist agenda. He contested the Abia governorship multiple times before winning in 2023 under the Labour Party. His administration has focused on infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline and transparency, positioning himself as a reform-minded leader determined to modernize Abia State.
