How God Saved Me from Assassination Attempt – Otti

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has recounted how he narrowly escaped an attack on his Abuja residence in 2015, saying he believes his decision to leave the city at the time saved his life.

Otti spoke on Thursday night during the Abia Solemn Assembly and Covenant Renewal Service held in Umuahia by the state government.

The governor, who was reflecting on his political journey, recalled an incident in July 2015, when he was challenging the outcome of that year’s governorship election at the tribunal.

According to him, he had been in Abuja expecting to meet an individual, but the meeting was repeatedly postponed. After deciding to return to the South-East, Otti said his friends advised him against travelling, but he eventually left Abuja.

He recalled that there was only one flight from Abuja to Owerri at the time and said he told his friends that he needed to be at the election tribunal the following day.

Otti said that shortly after his departure, armed attackers stormed his Abuja residence and killed two policemen who were providing security at the property. He said the attackers were searching for him but could not find him because he had already left.

The governor further recalled that the attackers apparently believed he was still within the premises and moved into an adjoining compound in their search. He said the group, which he learnt numbered about 12 people, searched the neighbouring building.

Otti said there had been no clear reason for him to leave Abuja at that particular time, but he viewed his departure as an act of divine intervention that prevented him from being present during the attack.

He also spoke about the advice he received from some people when he decided to enter politics. According to him, some friends warned him against pursuing a political career, while others suggested that he seek protection through traditional means and various societies.

The governor said he rejected such suggestions because of his personal conviction to serve God. He referred to the biblical passage in Joshua 24:15, where Joshua called on the Israelites to choose whom they would serve and declared his commitment to serving the Lord.

Otti said the experience strengthened his faith and reinforced his belief in the path he had chosen. He added that his administration would continue to combine public service with its commitment to faith.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, also spoke at the event, describing the gathering as an opportunity to reflect on Abia’s progress and seek divine guidance for the future.

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

He said the government had returned three years later to give thanks for what had been achieved and to seek guidance for the next phase of the administration.

In his homily, the Lead Pastor of Transforming Church International, Dr Sam Oye, commended the Otti administration for its activities in areas including roads, healthcare, education, public finance and land reforms.

Oye, however, said the state still had more work to do. Referring to Joshua 13:1, he said the progress already recorded should be followed by further efforts to develop the state and improve its institutions.

He called for more attention to industrial and agricultural processing corridors and urged the government to focus on building institutions capable of sustaining development beyond individual political administrations.

The event was attended by Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, government officials and Christian clerics. It included prayers, praise and worship, ministrations and exhortations.