Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has recounted how he narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt in Abuja in 2015, saying he believed his decision to leave the city was divinely directed.
Otti spoke on Thursday night at the Abia Solemn Assembly and Covenant Renewal Service in Umuahia, organised by the state government with the theme, “Remembering the Covenant.”
The governor recalled that he was contesting the 2015 governorship election and was challenging the result that produced Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party as governor.
According to him, he was in Abuja to meet someone, but after the meeting was repeatedly postponed, he decided to return to Owerri despite objections from his friends.
Otti said that same night, armed men attacked his residence in Maitama, killing two policemen who were on duty and searching for him.
He said, “That night, assassins attacked my residence in Abuja, shot two policemen dead, and they were looking for me. Of course, God had taken me away.”
He added that the attackers, believed to be about 12, searched his residence before moving into an adjoining compound after apparently concluding that he was still within the premises.
Otti said the incident strengthened his conviction that his departure from Abuja had been providential, as there had been no obvious reason for him to leave at the time.
The governor also recalled that some associates tried to discourage him from entering politics, while others advised him to seek protection through traditional or spiritual means.
He said he rejected such suggestions, maintaining that his faith in God remained the foundation of his political journey.
Quoting Joshua 24:15, Otti said individuals must consciously decide whom they would serve, adding that his administration would continue to operate on the principles of faith and service.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, said the state government had returned to God in thanksgiving after three years in office.
He recalled that Otti and his team observed seven days of fasting and prayer after winning the 2023 governorship election to rededicate the state to God.
In his homily, Lead Pastor of Transforming Church International, Dr Sam Oye, commended the administration for its reported achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, fiscal responsibility and land reforms.
Oye, however, urged the government to do more, citing Joshua 13:1 to emphasise that there was still more work to be done in Abia.
He called for the development of industrial and agro-processing corridors and urged the administration to strengthen institutions across the state.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, government officials and clergymen, and featured prayers, praise and worship, as well as religious exhortations.
