Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has recounted an alleged 2015 assassination attempt in Abuja, saying his decision to serve God strengthened his resolve during difficult periods of his political career.

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 the incident occurred while he was challenging the outcome of the 2015 governorship election, which was won by the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Okezie Ikpeazu.

According to Otti, he had remained in Abuja while attempting to hold a meeting that was repeatedly postponed. After the meeting failed to take place, he decided to travel to Owerri the following day despite objections from friends.

He said there was only one flight from Abuja to Owerri at the time and that his decision to leave Abuja ultimately kept him away from his residence when armed attackers arrived.

“That night, assassins attacked my residence in Abuja, shot two policemen dead, and they were looking for me,” Otti said.

He said the attackers, who he claimed numbered about 12, searched his residence in the Maitama area before moving into an adjoining compound after failing to find him.

“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.

Otti said he believed his decision to leave Abuja at that particular time was divinely directed because, in his view, there had been no apparent reason for him to travel.

“There was no reason for me not to be there, but God had taken me away from there,” he said.

The governor also recalled attempts by some friends to discourage him from going into politics, while others allegedly advised him to seek spiritual or traditional protection before entering the political arena.

He said he rejected such suggestions, maintaining that his decision to serve God was the foundation of his political journey.

Otti cited Joshua 24:15, in which Joshua called on the Israelites to choose whom they would serve, before declaring his own commitment to serving God.

He said the biblical passage had remained relevant to his personal convictions and urged those who had not made a similar decision to do so.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, said the covenant renewal service was also an opportunity for the state to reflect on the progress recorded under Otti’s administration.

Nwachukwu recalled that Otti and his team observed seven days of fasting and prayer after the 2023 election victory as part of efforts to rededicate the state to God.

He said the government had returned three years later to give thanks and seek divine guidance for the next phase of the state’s development.

In his sermon, Lead Pastor of Transforming Church International, Dr Sam Oye, commended the administration for what he described as progress in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, fiscal management and land reforms.

Oye, however, said the administration still had more work to do, citing the biblical account in Joshua 13:1, where Joshua was told that there remained more territory to be possessed.

He urged the state government to focus on further institutional reforms, industrial development and agro-processing corridors across the state.

“Our vision must survive personalities, political parties and election seasons,” Oye said.

He also called for a development vision that would address the productive potential of all 17 local government areas in Abia.

The event was attended by Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, other senior government officials and clerics, and featured intercessory prayers, praise and worship, ministrations and exhortations.