File: Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has cautioned voters against exchanging the state’s future for temporary political gratification, urging them to reject inducements from politicians and sustain the gains of good governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Otti stated this on Sunday while speaking as a guest at the Second Session of the Seventh Synod of the Anglican Communion, Diocese of Aba Ngwa North, held at All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Aba, on the theme, inspired by the Biblical verses contained in Acts 17:11-12, titled “Don’t Just Absorb It; Think It Through,” drawn from
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba, urged the electorate to consider the long-term implications of their political choices rather than allowing immediate material benefits to determine their decisions at the polls.
Otti maintained that some of the politicians seeking the support of Abians were responsible for the problems his administration is currently addressing, and warned voters against being deceived by their renewed political activities.
He said, “The people who created a problem that God now had to answer your prayer to send someone after His own heart; they are all over again. But the Bible says surely they shall proceed no further. Please, let us be careful.
“When God opens a door, may we not close it. Don’t use the ₦5,000, the ₦10,000, the wrapper, or the rice they will give you and close the destiny of Abians for the next four years. Even prayer and fasting will not open it.”
“May we not lose what God has given to us on the platter of gold,” the governor prayed.
Otti urged Christians to be vigilant as politicians intensified their engagements ahead of the elections, warning that some political actors who had previously neglected the church and its members are suddenly becoming attentive for political reasons.
“Like we have been told, the season is here again, and politicians are everywhere. The Bible says we are not ignorant of the devices of the enemy.
“These are devices. Many of them who have not been coming to church have started coming to church.
“Many of them who have not been accepting or taking your calls have suddenly started calling you. If you call them and you miss their call, they call you back. Those are devices,” he said.
The governor noted that the first three years of his administration had largely been devoted to laying a solid foundation for the state’s development, assuring that the next four years, from 2027, would focus on consolidation of good governance.
“Those who build houses will understand that foundation-laying is the most crucial, and the foundation has been laid after 24 years of ruins.
“What will now be happening is consolidation, and beauty will emerge. This present house you are seeing today, those who see that kind of house, Abia State, in the next four years, you will know that God has really come to tabernacle in the midst of man. Today, Abia State has become a point of reference,” he said.
On the church’s development projects, Otti assured the congregation of identifying with the church project until its completion, while reiterating his administration’s position that public funds must be used for the development of the state rather than individual religious projects.
Earlier, the Bishop of Aba Ngwa North Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Nathan Kanu, said the synod’s theme challenged Christians to go beyond merely hearing messages to thinking deeply, examining issues prayerfully and responding wisely.
He commended Otti for identifying with the church and supporting her activities. He also presented gifts to the governor’s representative and prayed for God’s blessings upon the Governor and his administration.
In his sermon, a guest speaker and Bishop of Ohaja/Egbema Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chidi Oparajiaku, challenged Christians not to take everything for granted but always think through whatever they heard.
The synod attracted several dignitaries, including the National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, South-East zone, Ishmael Onuoha; theparty’s State Chairman, Peter Azubuike; Mayor of Osisioma Local Government Area, Chidi Agu; among others.