Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Urges Alex Otti Not to Quit Politics After Second Term

The Abia State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has advised Governor Alex Otti not to retire from active politics after completing his second term in office in 2031, urging him to allow the people to determine his political future.

The appeal was conveyed during a courtesy visit to the Governor’s Office on Tuesday by PFN leaders led by the immediate past state chairman, Archbishop Dr. Chikezie Elekwa. The delegation said it had followed the governor’s earlier statements in which he indicated plans to step away from politics after his tenure.

Archbishop Elekwa appealed to the governor to reconsider the position and subject any future political decision to public will. He said the governor’s leadership should not be limited to eight years if the people still desire his service.

“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 decide what happens next,” Elekwa said.

He also declared that the PFN was already mobilising grassroots support for the governor ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that the fellowship’s membership cuts across all local governments and wards in the state. He pledged the full backing of the Christian body for the administration, commending what he described as significant progress under Otti’s leadership.

Elekwa further expressed gratitude to God for the governor’s emergence and performance, stating that many residents now speak proudly about Abia State due to ongoing reforms and development efforts. He said the church does not take the governor’s leadership for granted and thanked him for what he called a rescue from poor governance.

The PFN explained that the new state chairman, Bishop Dr. Newlife Ugochukwu, was unable to attend the meeting due to health reasons but conveyed assurances of continued support for the government.

In his response, Otti thanked the PFN leadership for their prayers, encouragement, and consistent support throughout his political journey. He noted that the fellowship and other Christian leaders had stood by him in previous election cycles.

The governor also urged people of faith to participate actively in governance, observing that many spiritually committed individuals had avoided politics in the past.

While acknowledging the advice to remain politically active beyond his current tenure, Otti maintained that such decisions must be guided by 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 said.

The meeting was attended by top government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze; Senior Special Assistant on Religious Matters, Apostle Kenneth Wiper; and Director General of the Strategic Communication Bureau, Onyebuchi Ememanka, among others.