Enugu Diocese, CAN Threaten Legal Action Over Clerics’ and Bishop’s Inclusion in APC Campaign List

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, has rejected a campaign council list circulating on social media that identified its chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, and other officials of the association as members of the Enugu State APC campaign council.

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In a disclaimer dated October 29, 2026, the association said neither it nor the religious leaders named alongside it were consulted before the list was made public. CAN Enugu stated that it neither authorised, endorsed nor consented to the inclusion of its leadership in the campaign council.

Most Rev. Dr. Obodo is the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu and the state chairman of CAN. The list that triggered the reaction, headed “Faith-Base (Christians)”, named him as Director, with Rev. Chimaobi Aninwene as Secretary.

The deputy directors were given as Very Rev. Uzoma Ogbodo for the East, Pst. Kenneth Asogwa for the North and Rev. Amb. Mrs. Angela Ijeoma Madueke for the West, followed by a long roll of members drawn from several churches.

The association issued its statement under a heading describing the “unauthorised inclusion” of some of its leaders and clergy in the APC state campaign council list, and said its attention had been drawn to the document as it circulated online.

Nothing to do with partisan politics, CAN insists

CAN Enugu said nothing in the publication should be taken to mean that the association belongs to a political party, backs any party or takes part in partisan politics.

The association described itself as a religious body that, from its inception, has worked for the unity of Christians, the promotion of Christian values and the spiritual and moral welfare of the faithful. Its membership, it added, spans different Christian denominations and includes people of diverse political affiliations and convictions — a reality that obliges it to remain a unifying platform for Christians regardless of political leanings.

The association argued that it was improper for the names of Christian leaders to be presented as part of a partisan campaign structure without their prior knowledge, consultation and consent. Any attempt to tie them to a particular party, it warned, risks creating unnecessary division within the Church and undermining the unity and impartiality expected of religious leaders.

CAN Enugu said it dissociates itself from the publication and asked the public, especially members of the Christian community, to disregard any suggestion that the inclusion of the names amounts to an endorsement of, or participation in, the APC campaign council by the association or the affected church leaders.

It called on the publishers of the list and the relevant authorities to acknowledge the clarification and take the necessary steps to correct the impression created by the publication.

“The Church belongs to Christ and must remain a home for all, irrespective of political affiliation,” the statement added.

The disclaimer was signed by Rev. Innocent Offor, Secretary of CAN Enugu, together with Bishop Daniel Olonye, Vice Chairman (CCN BLOC); Mrs. Patience Nwodo, Assistant Secretary (OAIC BLOC); and Elder Smart Okorie, Treasurer (TEKAN/ECWA BLOC).

Catholic Diocese demands removal of bishop’s name

A day later, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu issued its own disclaimer, dated 30 October 2026, over the listing of the bishop as Director of the Faith-Based Campaign Group in the Enugu State APC Campaign Council.

The statement, signed by Very Rev. Fr. Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie, Diocesan Chancellor/Secretary, said the diocese had become aware of reports that the bishop’s name, along with those of some Catholic priests, had been included in the faith-based campaign list.

It described the inclusion of the bishop’s name without his knowledge or consent as “wholly unauthorised, misleading and unacceptable”, saying it creates a false impression of his political disposition and amounts to a serious misrepresentation that undermines his integrity and ecclesiastical reputation.

The diocese said the bishop “strongly condemns this malicious act of misrepresentation and defamation”, and reiterated that the Catholic Church does not take part in partisan politics, does not participate in political campaigns and does not endorse political parties. The Church, it said, remains politically neutral and committed to its spiritual mission and to the promotion of peace, justice and the common good.

While individual Christians remain free to exercise their civic and democratic rights, the diocese said no individual or group should exploit the name, office or identity of the Church or its ministers for partisan political interests.

It demanded the immediate removal of Bishop Obodo’s name, as well as those of all other Catholic priests included without their knowledge and consent, from the campaign list and any related publications.

The diocese further warned that any continued or subsequent unauthorised use of the bishop’s name, title, image or ecclesiastical office for partisan political purposes would attract appropriate legal action.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Catholic Church is not a political campaign organisation and must not be presented as one,” the statement said.

The two disclaimers were issued separately — one by the state chapter of CAN and the other by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu — but both addressed the same faith-based directorate in the APC campaign structure.