Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has shared his experience of a narrow escape from an alleged assassination attempt in Abuja in July 2015. According to Otti, about 12 armed men stormed his residence in the Maitama area of Abuja, killing two policemen who were guarding the property while searching for him. The incident occurred while Otti was trying to arrange a meeting with an individual, but the proposed meeting was repeatedly postponed.
Otti gave his account of the incident on Thursday night at the Abia Solemn Assembly and Covenant Renewal Service held in Umuahia by the state government. The service, themed “Remembering the Covenant”, was attended by Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, senior government officials, clerics, and other stakeholders. Otti devoted part of his address to recounting some of the defining experiences in his political journey, particularly the incident in July 2015.
The governor said he had informed some of his friends that he would leave Abuja the following day and return to Owerri. However, his friends opposed the decision, but he insisted on traveling because he wanted to be present at the election tribunal on Friday, where he was challenging the outcome of the 2015 governorship election. Otti said there was only one flight from Abuja to Owerri at the time, and his friends eventually accepted his decision.
Otti attributed his escape to divine intervention, saying there was no apparent reason for him to leave Abuja at that particular time. He said he considered his decision to travel an act of divine intervention, as the attackers apparently believed that he was still somewhere within the premises after failing to find him. The governor said the gunmen then moved into an adjoining compound in an attempt to locate him.
According to Otti, the attackers were up to 12 in number and had jumped into the next compound, stripping the whole building. The incident occurred during a particularly difficult period in Otti’s political career, as he had contested the 2015 Abia State governorship election and subsequently challenged the result at the election tribunal. Otti’s political journey eventually led to another governorship contest eight years later, when he emerged victorious in the 2023 election on the platform of the Labour Party.
Reflecting on the challenges he faced before entering politics, Otti said several friends had tried to persuade him not to venture into politics. Some eventually advised him to seek protection through traditional or other spiritual means when they realised that he was determined to proceed. Otti said he was surprised that some of those making such suggestions were leaders in churches.
Otti said his response was to remain committed to his faith and his decision to serve God. He cited Joshua 24:15, in which Joshua challenged the Israelites to make a conscious decision about whom they would serve. The governor said the biblical passage had remained significant to his understanding of his political journey and personal convictions.
Key points
- Abia State Governor Alex Otti narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja in 2015.
- The incident occurred when 12 armed men stormed Otti's residence, killing two policemen.
- Otti attributed his escape to divine intervention.
