Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has acknowledged the role played by the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS) churches in his emergence as governor, saying the churches supported the Labour Party through prayers and votes during the 2023 elections.

Otti stated this on Sunday at the 2026 Umuahia Province Annual Adoption Thanksgiving Service of ESOCS, held at the church auditorium in Umuahia. The governor was represented at the event by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu.

According to Otti, the story of the “New Abia” would be incomplete without recognising the contribution of the Cherubim and Seraphim churches to the political change witnessed in the state in 2023.

He said the churches prayed and preached for change before the election and subsequently came out to vote for the Labour Party, adding that their support for his administration had continued through prayers, encouragement and moral backing.

The governor attributed part of the progress recorded in Abia to the prayers and support of residents, noting that salaries and pensions were being paid regularly while road construction and other development projects continued.

Otti urged Christians in the state to remain steadfast as the next general elections approach, describing the forthcoming polls as important to the future direction of Abia.

He called on members of ESOCS and other Christian faithful to remain with the Labour Party and support its candidates, saying the party provided the platform through which Abia was delivered from its previous challenges.

The governor also assured the church that his administration would continue to accommodate people of all faiths, stressing that his government remained one for all Abians.

Earlier, the President Voice of Evangelism International, Houston, Texas, USA, Senior Apostle Dr. Emeka Agwu, delivered a sermon titled “Chosen, Adopted and Called for His Glory.”

Agwu encouraged Christians to remain committed to faith, prayer and service to God. Drawing from passages in Jeremiah, Galatians and John, he said believers who had been chosen and adopted by God should live according to the purpose and calling of Christ.

The cleric also urged the congregation to combine faith with action, saying challenges should be viewed as opportunities to demonstrate faith and discover the strength God has given believers.

In his remarks, the Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon. Okoro Uchenna, described the thanksgiving service as an opportunity to appreciate God for His faithfulness to the church, government and people.

The event featured prayers for the Abia State Government and the presentation of a gift to the government representative.

Among those present were the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini; member representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe; Labour Party candidate for Abia North Senatorial District, Chief David Ogba Onuoha; Chief Medical Director of Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia, Dr. Chimezie Okwuonu; Labour Party stalwart, Chief Emeka Charles Kalu; and the Governor’s Special Assistant on Religious Activities, Apostle Kenneth C. Wiper, among others.