The leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, has advised Governor Alex Otti not to quit politics after completing his second term in office by 2031.
Otti had previously indicated in several fora that he intended to retire from active politics after his tenure as governor.
The clergymen conveyed the message through the immediate past State Chairman, Archbishop Dr Chikezie Elekwa, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit at Governor’s office on Tuesday.
Archbishop Elekwa said they heard of the governor’s plans to leave politics and urged him to allow the people to decide his political future.
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“Some time ago, we heard you said that after your second term, you would go out of politics.
“Please, Your Excellency, don’t just decide on that. Let the public, let the people decide it.
“You can’t just show yourself before us for only eight years and then disappear. Please, let it go public and let the people decide on what happens next,” Archbishop Elekwa stated.
He further assured Otti that he needed not to campaign for the 2027 elections, adding that the PFN was already mobilising support on his behalf.
“Come next year, Your Excellency, you don’t need any campaign anywhere.
“The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is already mobilising our people from the grassroots.
“This body has members in every local government and ward. We assure you of the votes of PFN. We are Christians.
“Before you came on board, Your Excellency, we knew that spiritual darkness covered the state. To the extent that the ‘Mami Water’ at the Omenuko Bridge could not allow them to build that bridge. But the moment you appeared, the ‘Mami Water’ disappeared.
“Today, we are proud of our state. Wherever we go, we are proud to tell people that we are from Abia State. Your Excellency, you don’t know what you have done for Abians,” he said.
Archbishop Elekwa pledged the full support of the church to the administration.
He also expressed gratitude to God for Otti’s leadership and thanked the governor for joining politics to rescue Abia State from poor governance.
“We sincerely thank God for your life and everything He has used you to do in our state. We’ve never had it this good.
“To some of us, it feels like we are dreaming. God answered Abians’ prayers by giving us a gift in your person.
“We do not take it for granted. Thank you, Your Excellency,” Archbishop Elekwa said.
The PFN also explained that the new state chairman, Bishop Dr Newlife Ugochukwu, was indisposed but assured the governor of the church’s continued support.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the PFN leadership for their prayers, support, and encouragement, acknowledging the Christian body’s role in his political journey.
“It is important to put it on record that PFN supported this movement from the beginning — in 2015, 2019, and 2023. The church stood firm together with other fathers of faith. We do not take that for granted,” Otti stated.
Otti also called on people of faith to actively engage in governance, noting that in the past, many who maintained strong relationships with God avoided politics.
While acknowledging the advice to remain politically active beyond his current tenure, Otti stressed that leadership decisions must align with divine direction.
“As humans, we may have our own thoughts about when to step aside. But ultimately, we cannot speak when the Lord has not spoken,” he added.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze; the SSA on Religious Matters, Apostle Kenneth Wiper; the Director General of the Strategic Communication Bureau, Onyebuchi Ememanka; and other top government officials.
“Some time ago, we heard you said that after your second term, you would go out of politics.
“Please, Your Excellency, don’t just decide on that. Let the public, let the people decide it.
“You can’t just show yourself before us for only eight years and then disappear. Please, let it go public and let the people decide on what happens next,” Archbishop Elekwa stated.
He further assured Otti that he needed not to campaign for the 2027 elections, adding that the PFN was already mobilising support on his behalf.
“Come next year, Your Excellency, you don’t need any campaign anywhere.
“The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is already mobilising our people from the grassroots.
“This body has members in every local government and ward. We assure you of the votes of PFN. We are Christians.
“Before you came on board, Your Excellency, we knew that spiritual darkness covered the state. To the extent that the ‘Mami Water’ at the Omenuko Bridge could not allow them to build that bridge. But the moment you appeared, the ‘Mami Water’ disappeared.
“Today, we are proud of our state. Wherever we go, we are proud to tell people that we are from Abia State. Your Excellency, you don’t know what you have done for Abians,” he said.
Archbishop Elekwa pledged the full support of the church to the administration.
He also expressed gratitude to God for Otti’s leadership and thanked the governor for joining politics to rescue Abia State from poor governance.
“We sincerely thank God for your life and everything He has used you to do in our state. We’ve never had it this good.
“To some of us, it feels like we are dreaming. God answered Abians’ prayers by giving us a gift in your person.
“We do not take it for granted. Thank you, Your Excellency,” Archbishop Elekwa said.
The PFN also explained that the new state chairman, Bishop Dr Newlife Ugochukwu, was indisposed but assured the governor of the church’s continued support.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the PFN leadership for their prayers, support, and encouragement, acknowledging the Christian body’s role in his political journey.
“It is important to put it on record that PFN supported this movement from the beginning — in 2015, 2019, and 2023. The church stood firm together with other fathers of faith. We do not take that for granted,” Otti stated.
Otti also called on people of faith to actively engage in governance, noting that in the past, many who maintained strong relationships with God avoided politics.
While acknowledging the advice to remain politically active beyond his current tenure, Otti stressed that leadership decisions must align with divine direction.
“As humans, we may have our own thoughts about when to step aside. But ultimately, we cannot speak when the Lord has not spoken,” he added.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze; the SSA on Religious Matters, Apostle Kenneth Wiper; the Director General of the Strategic Communication Bureau, Onyebuchi Ememanka; and other top government officials.
