Abia Govt Announces Solemn Assembly, Covenant Renewal Service Ahead Of 2027 Polls

Invites church leaders, political appointees, elected officials to JAAC auditorium Sept 24; declares statewide fast, thanksgiving Sept 26-27

UMUAHIA— The Abia State Government has announced a Solemn Assembly and Covenant Renewal Service to rededicate the state to God and seek divine guidance ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Thursday in Umuahia during a joint press conference, saying the state has always been in God’s hands before, during and after the 2023 elections.

He said the initiative was borne out of the administration’s belief in seeking God’s guidance and committing affairs of the state into His hands.

“Right from His Excellency the Governor down to the last appointee, everybody trusts God and works hard to seek God’s face in everything we do. Now that an election is approaching, it is only fitting to seek God’s face once more and rededicate this state into God’s hands to ensure the peace and prosperity we have enjoyed these past three and a half years will continue,” Kanu said.

Giving details, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Coordinator of the event, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, said the programme is themed “Remembering the Covenant.”

Nwachukwu recalled that Abia, known as God’s Own State, went through years of challenges, bad governance and underdevelopment, leading to cries, prayers and women rolling on tarred roads seeking divine intervention, until God broke what he described as chains of enslavement and occultism in 2023.

He said upon declaration of Governor Alex Otti as winner, the state witnessed unprecedented joy, followed by a seven-day fasting and prayer coordinated by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, culminating at Ngwa High School in Aba where the state was rededicated to God and leadership entered a covenant to serve God and work for the people.

“As we get into another season of election, with campaigns expected to start in October, it was the thinking of the governor and his leadership that we need to go and thank God for thus far He has led us — our Ebenezer — and renew this covenant,” Nwachukwu stated.

He said the solemn assembly will be by invitation, with expected attendees including church leaders, all political appointees, elected officials from councillors, deputy mayors, mayors, House of Assembly members, National Assembly members, the Governor and Deputy Governor, wife of the Governor, commissioners, permanent secretaries, Head of Service, and local government directors and treasurers.

According to him, ministers at the assembly will include Rev. Dr. Sam Oye, Prophet Isa El-Buba and Apostle Ofo Nzimiro, who led the initial covenant, alongside Archbishops, Bishops and other church leaders.

Nwachukwu added that on September 24, all churches in the state are expected to observe fasting in their various locations while invited guests congregate at the JAAC Auditorium for corporate prayers, while thanksgiving services will hold on September 26 in Seventh-Day Adventist, SDA, churches and September 27 in other churches across the state.