Abia christians, AJF, intensify prayers against moves to stop Otti’s inauguration
By Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Christians in Abia with the collaboration of Abia Justice Forum, AJF, have intensified prayers against moves and forces bent on stopping the planned inauguration of the Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti, on Monday.
The Christians who gathered at the Assemblies of God Item Street Umuahia, invoke the wrath of God upon anybody plotting to scuttle the inauguration or sabotage the efforts of the people towards a new Abia.
Speaking at the event which drew participants from different denominations, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Abia State chapter, Apostle Emmanuel Agonmuo, raised the alarm that the enemies of the state were not relenting in their evil machination to scuttle the inauguration.
He claimed that the enemies of the state behind the plot were currently shopping for a willing Judge in the North and South West who would grant them injunction to stop Otti’s swearing-in.
Rev Agonmuo said that the masterminds of the evil plan would fail in their enterprise, declaring that Abia’s liberation cannot be reversed.
He urged Christians not to relent in their prayers both for Otti and the state.
Agonmuo disclosed that church leaders in the state had visited the boundaries and entry points in the state to pronounce God’s emancipation.
He further urged men of God to also contest for political offices so as to get higher platforms to effect the needed change in society and expand righteousness.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the event and former President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, decried the sorry state of affairs and retrogression in the state.
Urging Christians to be involved more in politics, Ohuabunwa said nothing would work in the state until Christians rose to the occasion.
According to him, the era when Christians showed no interest in politics is gone.
” When our eyes were blinded, we were told that Christians should not be involved in politics but thank God that now, our eyes are open to see that Christians have a role to play for good governance to be enthroned”.
Ohuabunwa who contested for the PDP presidential ticket, urged Christians to sustain their prayers for the state and the Governor-elect until “the Abia of our dream is actualised”.
He strongly supported the call by CAN for Christians to be actively involved in partisan politics, arguing that until righteous men are on the throne, nothing will work well in any society.
Speaking at the event, National Chairman of Abia Justice Forum (AJF), Rev. James Okocha, declared that any move to sabotage the collective will of the people who had willingly given their mandate to Otti, would not succeed.
He said that God had liberated Abia from the hands of those holding it captive, adding that the days of darkness will never be witnessed again in the state.
Rev. Okocha reiterated the readiness of AJF to partner Government to deepen democracy and good governance in the state.
In a sermon, the District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Umuahia Central District, the Rev. Dr Henry Emelike, said that church had vital role to play for good governance to thrive in the land.
He challenged clerics in the state to always stand for the truth and courageously speak truth to power.
The Rev. Emelike noted that the eruption of joy across the state following the declaration of Otti as the Governor -elect, was an indication that he was the popular choice of the people.
He said the presence of God would be restored to the state if ” we maintain our relationship with God”, regretting however, that some clerics sing the praise of political office holders instead of telling them the truth.
Earlier, the host Pastor, Rev. Young Alozie, said that Abia Government had floated without God’s presence, adding that the emergence of Otti, signalled the return of God to the state.
He declared that the era of wasting the resources of the state on ‘strangers’ while the people starved was over, urging Otti to govern with the fear of God if he must last in power.
In a remark, former Minister of State for Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah, said that God had turned around the captivity of Abia State.
Ogah who was represented by Kingsley Oriaku, said that Abia would never return to bondage and political servitude again.
The former Minister also urged Christians to stop referring to politics as a dirty game but actively participate for the enthronement of good governance.
He solicited the continued prayers of the church for the state and nation at large to stop the hijack of power by political touts and evil men.
Coordinator of AJF in the United States of America, the Rev. Emmanuel Ike, said Abians in the diaspora were excited to see light at the end of the tunnel in the state.
He expressed optimism that Abia would experience boom in all frontiers in the months ahead, while assuring the commitment of the diasporan community in advancing the cause of the state.
