Otti Shares Story of Escaping Assassins During 2015 Political Battle

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Thursday night gave a detailed account of his journey into politics, crediting his decision to serve God for sustaining him through life-threatening political challenges.

Otti spoke at the "Abia Solemn Assembly and Covenant Renewal Service" in Umuahia, organised by the State Government under the theme "Remembering the Covenant."

Recalling a 2015 Assassination Attempt

The governor gave a vivid account of an incident he described as an assassination attempt, recalling that a friend had recently reminded him of the events surrounding his early political journey — particularly a night in July 2015 that, he said, could have claimed his life.

Otti recalled that he contested the 2015 governorship election and subsequently took the matter to the tribunal after victory was declared for the Peoples Democratic Party's candidate, Okezie Ikpeazu. He said he was in Abuja at the time, attempting to hold a meeting with someone who repeatedly postponed the appointment until it never took place.

Otti said he eventually informed his friends that he would leave Abuja the next day, despite their objections. "There was only one flight from Abuja to Owerri then. All my friends objected. I said, well, I have received a message that I must leave Abuja. So, to make it make sense, I told them I wanted to be at the tribunal on Friday, so they grudgingly accepted," 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 said.

According to Otti, after failing to find him, the attackers appeared convinced he was still on the premises and proceeded to search the adjoining compound. "When they finished and couldn't find me, they were convinced I was there. They had so much time. By the way, this was Maitama. They jumped into the next compound, and I learnt that they were up to 12. They jumped into the next compound, and stripped the whole building," he said.

Reflecting on the incident, Otti said there had been no obvious reason for him to leave Abuja at that particular time, but he believes his departure was divinely directed. "They thought I jumped first, but I left. There was no reason for me not to be there but God had taken me away from there," he said.

Resisting Pressure to Seek Spiritual Protection

The governor also recounted how some friends initially tried to discourage him from entering politics altogether, while others advised him to seek protection through traditional or other spiritual means once they realised, he could not be dissuaded. "A lot of friends, after trying to dissuade me, found I couldn't be dissuaded. They said, okay, if you decided to do this thing, you can't go in there empty-handed. You can't go there without belonging to some societies. You can't go there without going to some native doctors for protection and you will be shocked at the kind of people that are making these suggestions and some of them are leaders in churches," he said.

Otti said, however, that his conviction remained firmly anchored in his decision to serve God, citing the biblical account in Joshua 24:15. "But then, I'm always reminded about Joshua 24:15, where Joshua said to the Israelites that 'If it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you would serve.' But then he ended that 'as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord,'" he said.

He explained that the lesson from the scripture is that individuals must make a conscious choice about whom they will serve, adding that it is never too late for those who have not yet made that decision. "So, if you don't understand why, you are here, this is why you are here. And, if you have not taken that decision, it's not too late, because there is no other power," he said.

Otti said the experience reinforced his conviction about the path he has chosen, adding that his administration would continue along the path of faith and service.

Commissioner Reflects on Abia's Journey

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Uzor Nwachukwu, said Abia State had been "in captivity" for years until God raised Otti to power. He recalled that after securing electoral victory in 2023, Otti and his team observed seven days of fasting and prayer to rededicate the state to God, adding that it had become necessary, three years later, to return in thanksgiving and commit the next political dispensation to God as well.

"Through seasons of challenges and triumphs, His faithfulness has remained our anchor in challenging times. He held us, broke the chains of stagnation and moved us to where He has promised. Human effort alone cannot sustain the prosperity and progress we desire. The scripture reminds us that unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchmen watch in vain. As we stand on the threshold of a new dispensation, this service is a sacred altar of rededication," he said.

Pastor Commends Achievements, Urges Continued Progress

In his homily, Lead Pastor of Transforming Church International, Dr Sam Oye, commended Otti and his administration for recording notable milestones within three years, lauding progress in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, fiscal responsibility, and land reforms — while stressing that significant work remains ahead.

Citing Joshua 13:1, Oye noted that God acknowledged Joshua's achievements while reminding him there was still more land to possess. "The word of the Lord to us on this Covenant Renewal Day is simple: More land to possess. More work to be done. More people to be reached. More systems to be reformed. And more potential in Abia to be released. Whereas we celebrate all the great things we have accomplished, we are saying we still have so much left undone. Our vision must survive personalities, political parties and election seasons. The vision must redefine the productive future of each of the 17 Local Government Areas," Oye said.

He urged the governor to outline clear industrial and agro-processing corridors, stressing that "our focus must be on strengthening institutions."

The event was attended by Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, other senior government officials, and a team of clergymen, and featured intercessory prayers, praise and worship sessions, alongside ministrations and exhortations from various clerics.