NEWS
Abia Renews Covenant With God As Gov. Alex Otti Leads Solemn Assembly, Declares “There Is No Other Power“
The Abia State Government has renewed its covenant with God Almighty, with His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, leading top government officials, clergy and stakeholders in a solemn assembly and covenant renewal service dedicated to seeking divine guidance for the state and its future.
The special service, held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the JAAC Secretariat in Umuahia, was organised under the theme “Remembering the Covenant” and brought together political leaders, government appointees, traditional and community stakeholders, and Christian leaders from across Nigeria.
The gathering served as both an occasion of thanksgiving for the progress recorded under the present administration and a moment of spiritual rededication as Abia looks ahead to another phase of development.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Otti reaffirmed his personal faith in God and urged Abians to remain committed to God, stressing that the foundation of the state’s progress must extend beyond human effort and political leadership.
The Governor explained that the central purpose of the assembly was to seek God and recommit the state and its people to His service.
“As for me and my family, we shall serve the Lord.
“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 is not too late to take it, because there is no other power,“ Governor Otti declared.
Governor Otti also used the occasion to reflect on his personal journey into public service and the circumstances that led him from a successful banking career into politics.
He recalled his decision in 2014 to leave the banking industry and enter public service in pursuit of his ambition to serve Abia State.
According to him, the decision was not without doubts from people close to him, including his father-in-law, who questioned why he would abandon a thriving career and a prominent position as Chairman of the Committee of Bank CEOs for what he described as an “uncertain territory.”
The Governor further recounted an assassination attempt he survived in Abuja during the course of his gubernatorial ambition, describing his survival as another testimony to God’s protection and preservation.
He expressed gratitude to God for seeing him and the state through the various challenges encountered along the journey and thanked the Christian leaders who travelled from different parts of the country to participate in the covenant renewal service.
Governor Otti also prayed for God’s continued blessings, protection and guidance upon the men of God and all those who joined the people and government of Abia for the solemn occasion.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Solemn Assembly and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, traced the spiritual significance of the gathering to the beginning of the Otti administration.
Prince Nwachukwu said Abia had endured years of difficulties and stagnation before what he described as a divine intervention through the emergence of Governor Otti.
He recalled that following the administration’s electoral victory in 2023, Governor Otti and his team embarked on seven days of fasting and prayer to rededicate the state to God.
Three years into the administration, he said, the need had arisen to return to the same spiritual foundation, this time in thanksgiving for the progress recorded and in preparation for the next political dispensation.
“The Lord has led us these three-plus years, doing marvellous things in our eyes. In the journey of every great nation, State or people, there comes a critical season to pause, look inward and look upward.
“Today marks that pivotal moment for our dear State as we gather to seek the face of the Almighty God, return to Him in heartfelt thanksgiving, and collectively renew our covenant with our Creator. The foundation of the new Abia is deeply rooted in the sovereignty of God,“ Prince Nwachukwu stated.
He further emphasised the importance of divine guidance in sustaining the gains recorded by the administration.
“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.
“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 stated.
Delivering the exhortation, the Lead Pastor of Transforming Church International, Rev. Dr. Sam Oye, commended Governor Otti and members of his administration for what he described as significant accomplishments within three years in office.
Rev. Oye highlighted developments in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, fiscal responsibility and land reforms, while acknowledging the scale of work undertaken by the administration.
However, he stressed that the achievements recorded so far should not become a reason for complacency, pointing to the need for sustained efforts to address the remaining challenges and unlock more of Abia’s economic and human potential.
Drawing from Joshua 13:1, Rev. Oye noted that despite the territory already conquered under Joshua, God reminded him that there was still more land to possess.
He applied the biblical account to Abia’s development journey, urging the state to build on existing achievements while pursuing deeper institutional and economic transformation.
“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, outlining industrial and agro-processing corridors.
“Our focus must be on strengthening institutions,“ Rev. Oye stated.
The exhortation therefore placed emphasis not only on celebrating existing accomplishments but also on ensuring that the state’s development vision becomes sustainable beyond individual administrations, political parties and election cycles.
The Solemn Assembly featured extensive intercessory prayers, praise and worship, as religious leaders and participants prayed for Abia’s leadership, communities, institutions and future.
Renowned clerics, including Prophet Isa El-Buba and Apostle Ofo Nzimiro, participated in the spiritual ministrations, while gospel artiste Bro. Cornelius Benjamin also ministered during the service.
The Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, members of the State Executive Council, members of the Abia State Legislature, Local Government Area Mayors, senior government officials, political appointees and other stakeholders were among those who attended the solemn assembly.
The covenant renewal service ultimately combined thanksgiving for the journey so far with prayers for continued progress, institutional strengthening and divine direction, reinforcing the administrati
on’s emphasis on placing God at the centre of its vision for the New Abia.