Senior lawyer and political commentator, Jibrin Okutepa, has commended Alex Otti for reportedly naming the Umuahia Bus Terminal after Professor Nnenna Oti, describing the gesture as a powerful recognition of integrity and courage in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a post shared on his X account on Thursday, Okutepa praised Professor Oti, who served as the returning officer during the 2023 Abia governorship election, for resisting alleged pressure to manipulate the outcome of the poll that eventually produced Alex Otti as governor.
According to him, the decision of the professor to stand by the authentic results was not influenced by personal gain or family ties.
“Be it noted that Prof Oti and Dr Alex Otti are not related from my understanding. So the decision of Prof Oti not to allow herself to be compromised was not based on any pecuniary interests,” he stated.
Okutepa described electoral integrity as the foundation of democracy, insisting that Abians had every reason to appreciate the role Professor Oti played during the election.
“Abians must be grateful to Prof Nnenna Oti’s uncompromising principle not to compromise electoral processes that brought Dr Alex Otti to power in Abia State,” he said.
The senior advocate further applauded the governor’s performance in office, arguing that visible achievements remained the true measure of governance.
“It is a notorious fact that Dr Alex Otti has done marvellously well so far that he does not need to campaign for his return to power in 2027,” Okutepa declared.
“I have always said that any government that struggles to advertise its achievements on the pages of newspapers and electronic media with pictorial evidence is a failed government. Governmental successes are visible, permanent and enduring for ordinary people to see,” he added.
Okutepa maintained that Professor Oti’s refusal to allegedly bow to intimidation and pressure during the 2023 election helped protect the will of the people.
“She did not give in to threats and intimidations to announce fake results as many would have done. She did not compromise integrity and truth for temporary gains. She was firm and stood her grounds,” he stated.
The legal practitioner lamented what he described as widespread compromise within the nation’s electoral system, accusing some academics who serve as returning officers of undermining democracy for financial inducements.
“There are many Dr Alex Ottis that were not allowed to assume power in government houses in many states in Nigeria because of crooked and corrupt-infested professors who, for a pot of porridge, subverted the will of the people,” he alleged.
Reflecting on the introduction of professors as returning officers by former INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, Okutepa said the idea was intended to strengthen electoral credibility, but noted that the reality had fallen short in several cases.
“When Prof Attahiru Jega introduced the concept of professors as returning officers in our electoral processes, it was reasoned rightly that these professors would add colour to electoral integrity and would not announce concocted results. But the realities on ground suggest otherwise,” he said.
Quoting a social media commentator, Okutepa described Professor Nnenna Oti as “a shining example” of academic integrity, contrasting her conduct with others accused of compromising elections.
“What else can I add than to thank and congratulate Prof Mrs Nnenna Oti for standing tall where other professors fell flat at the sight of Naira and Dollars,” he added.
He also commended Governor Otti for recognising integrity, stressing that Nigeria’s future depended on honesty and accountability in public service.
“Nigeria will only be better if integrity, honesty and truth become the guiding principles of those entrusted with public duties as done by Prof Nnenna Oti,” Okutepa stated.
