“I Didn’t Believe He Would Come” — Former CPS Ururu Aja as Governor Alex Otti Attends Brother’s Burial, Pledges to Complete Church Project
Abia Governor Alex Otti attends burial of former CPS’s brother, pledges to complete church hall project. Ururu Aja calls it “unprecedented magnanimity of spirit” and a lesson in forgiveness and unity.
In a moving display of leadership and humanity, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, attended the burial of the brother of Ururu Aja, former Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past administration.
The burial, which took place on Friday, 12th September 2025, at St. Augustine's Anglican Church, Umule, was a moment of deep reflection for Aja, who admitted that he did not expect the Governor to honor him with his presence.
“I Didn’t Believe Governor Otti Would Come” – Ururu Aja
In a heartfelt statement shared after the event, Ururu Aja said:
“Let me be very honest here. As a matter of fact, let me make a true confession. I didn't believe that Governor Alex Otti would attend the burial of my brother last Friday. Why should he even honor me with his esteemed Executive presence? After everything? Even with my defection, I still felt that little tinge, that unease, that thing that kept reminding me of how hard I fought this man over the years.”
He revealed that despite his political history and past opposition to Governor Otti, the Governor stayed in touch with him throughout the burial preparations, asking about his welfare and even facilitating access road repairs to the church ahead of the ceremony.
“So I told myself that even if he didn't come, I would understand. At some point, I silently prayed that he would at least send a representative,” Aja confessed.
Governor Otti Pledges to Complete Late Brother’s Legacy Project
The most touching moment came when Governor Otti pledged to complete a two-storey church hall and parsonage project started by Aja’s late brother, who had funded it up to 90% completion before his passing.
“Before the Vicar could go any further with a fundraiser, the Governor sent his Chief of Protocol to ask me to tell the Vicar not to do any fundraising, that he and his friends will complete the project,” Aja recounted.
Governor Otti reportedly mandated Dr. Soni Ajala, SAN, a classmate of the late brother, to oversee the project’s completion by December 2025, in line with the original plans of the deceased.
A Gesture of Forgiveness and Unity
For Aja, the Governor’s actions went beyond politics.
“His presence gave me great succor. I felt cool. I felt loved. I felt accepted. If I had the power to determine the outcome of the 2023 election, Otti wouldn't be Governor today. He became Governor without any support from me. So why would he identify with me at my darkest hour? This is what I saw last Friday.”
The former CPS concluded his message by calling the Governor’s act an “unprecedented magnanimity of spirit” and promising to share more about those who accompanied the Governor to the burial in a later message.
This rare moment underscores the Governor’s commitment to unity and reconciliation across political divides, as well as his focus on the well-being of Abians, regardless of political affiliations.
