By Emelayo Nwosu
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Enugu State Chapter, have rejected the inclusion of the Auxilliary Bishop of Enugu and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the campaign council of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Obodo was listed as the Director of the Director of the Faith-Based Campaign Group in the Enugu State APC Campaign Council, alongside the names of other Christian leaders.
However, in separate statements, both Christian bodies distanced themselves from the APC Campaign Council and demanded the removal of the bishop’s name from the campaign council.
In a disclaimer signed by the Diocesan Chancellor/Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Wilfred Agubuchie, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu said the inclusion of Bishop Obodo’s name was unacceptable.
“We categorically state that the inclusion of the Bishop’s name without his knowledge or consent is wholly unauthorised, misleading and unacceptable.
“Such an action creates a false impression of his political disposition and constitutes a serious misrepresentation that undermines his integrity and ecclesiastical reputation,” the Diocese said.
According to Enugu Catholic Bishop, Bishop Obodo condemns the inclusion of his name in the Campaign Council.
“His Lordship, Most Rev. Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, strongly condemns this malicious act of misrepresentation and defamation. We reiterate that the Catholic Church does not engage in partisan politics, participate in political campaigns or endorse political parties.
“The Church remains politically neutral and steadfastly committed to her spiritual mission and the promotion of peace, justice and the common good, the Diocese said.
The Enugu Catholic Diocese pointed out that the church encourages individual members to exercise their democratic rights, but warned that no individual or group should use the name of the church for political purposes.
“While individual Christians are free to exercise their civic and democratic rights, no individual or group should exploit the name, office or identity of the Church or its ministers for partisan political interests,” the Diocese insisted.
The Enugu Catholic Diocese demanded the immediate removal of Bishop Obodo’s name from the Campaign Council, warning that subsequent use of his name for political purpose would lead to litigation.
“We therefore demand the immediate removal of Bishop Ernest Obodo’s name, as well as the names of all other Catholic priests included without their knowledge and consent, from the said campaign list and any related publications.
“Furthermore, any continued or subsequent unauthorised use of the Bishop’s name, title, image or ecclesiastical office for partisan political purposes will attract appropriate legal action,” the church said.
It restated that the Church does not get involved in political campaign.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Catholic Church is not a political campaign organisation and must not be presented as one,” the Diocese said.
In a similar disclaimer, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Enugu State chapter distanced itself and its members from a list of members of the APC campaign council.
CAN noted that the list included the name of the Auxilliary Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Obodo, who is the Chairman of CAN and a number of other CAN leaders as members of the campaign council.
CAN condemned the action of the APC in including its members in a partisan organisation without their approval.
The disclaimer titled,”Unauthorised inclusion of some leaders and clergy of Christian Association of Nigeria, Enugu State, in the APC State campaign council list” read in part:
“The attention of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State Chapter, has been drawn to a campaign council list that has been circulating on social media, purportedly identifying His Lordship Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu and state Chairman of CAN, and some CAN Enugu officials, alongside other Christian religious leaders, as members of the Enugu State APC Campaign Council.
“For the avoidance of doubt, CAN Enugu wishes to state categorically that neither the Association nor any of the named religious leaders were consulted before the publication of the said list. Can Enugu did not authorise, endorse, or consent to the inclusion of its leadership in the campaign council. Consequently, endorsement of any political party, or participation in partisan political activities.
“Consequently, the publication must not be construed as an indication of the assoociation’s political affiliation, endorsement of any political party, or participation in partisan political activities.”
The letter reitrated the commitment of CAN to the promotion of Christian values and the unity of committed to the unity of Christians and the promotion of Christian values as well as the unity of Christians across the country and condemned efforts to make it appear partisan.
“It is therefore inappropriate for the names of Christian leaders to be presented as members of a partisan political campaign structure without their prior knowledge, consultation, and consent.
“Any attempt to associate them with a particular political party risks creating unnecessary division within the Church and undermining the unity and impartiality expected of religious leadership,” the disclaimer continued.
CAN Enugu dissociated itself from the said publication and urged the public, particularly members of the Christian community, to disregard any suggestion that the inclusion of these names represents the endorsement or participation of CAN Enugu or the affected church leaders in the APC campaign council.
Governor Peter Mbah earlier in the week inaugurated the APC Campaign Council in the state for the 2027 general elections.
The list included the names of many retired army and police officers, including Frank Mbah, who recently retired from the Nigerian Police as a deputy Inspector General {DIG).
CAN called on the people behind the publication of the list to take all necessary steps to correct the impression created by the unauthorised publication.
“We call on the publishers and relevant authorities to acknowledge this clarification and take the necessary steps to correct the impression created by the unauthorised publication, and concluded that the Church belongs to Christ and must remain a home for all, irrespective of political affiliation.
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