The Catholic Diocese of Enugu and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State Chapter, have separately rejected the inclusion of Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Ane zichukwu Obodo, and other Christian leaders in the Enugu State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council list, describing their inclusion as unauthorised and misleading.
The two Christian bodies issued separate statements distancing themselves from the campaign council list, insisting that neither Bishop Obodo nor the other affected religious leaders were consulted or gave their consent before their names were published.
The controversy followed the circulation of the Enugu State APC Campaign Council list, which named Bishop Obodo, who is also the Chairman of CAN in Enugu State, as Director of the Faith Based (Christians) Campaign Group.
The list also identified Rev. Chimaobi Aniwenе as Secretary, while Very Rev. Uzoma Ogbodo was named Deputy Director for the East, Pst. Kenneth Asogwa for the North and Rev. Amb. Mrs. Angela Ijeoma Madueke for the West.
Other prominent Christian clerics and leaders listed as members included Pst. Ugochukwu Anike, Ven. Francis Mountainfly, Very Rev. Stanley S. Nweke, Rev. Fr. Ben Collins Okwesileze, Rev. Fr. Thomas Onuh, Rev. Fr. Francis Okigbo, Rev. Dr. Fidelis Nwiwu, Pst. David Anyiam, Pastor Victor Olniya, Pastor Robert Eze, Prof. Bennedeth Okoli, Rev. Godhonour Mbah and Rev. Dr. Engr. Chidi Okeke.
The list further contained Pst. Obinna Abba, Amara Ogbu, Sister Judith Dinwoke, Pst. Ngozi Obiakor, Rev. Chiononso Agbo, Rev. Obinna Odo, Pastor Tochukwu Okoye, Bishop Egbounu Ikechukwu, Pst. Mrs. Gladys Chukwu, Chioma Ononyeba, Pst. Martins Akuresanm, Rev. Ikoro Benjamin, Rev. Obinna Nwafor, Rev. Oshine Maxwell, Rev. Christian Onwuchekwa, Very Rev. Benson Nwobodo, Very Rev. Agbo Nehemiah, Rev. Chigbo Chime, Rev. Emmanuel Okoroafor and Pastor John Tochukwu Ogbo.
In a disclaimer dated October 30, 2026, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu categorically stated that Bishop Obodo’s inclusion was without his knowledge or consent.
The Diocese described the action as wholly unauthorised, misleading and unacceptable, warning that it created a false impression of the Bishop’s political disposition and undermined his integrity and ecclesiastical reputation.
According to the statement, Bishop Obodo strongly condemned what it described as a malicious act of misrepresentation and defamation.
The Diocese reiterated that the Catholic Church does not engage in partisan politics, participate in political campaigns or endorse political parties. It stressed that the Church remains politically neutral and committed to its spiritual mission and the promotion of peace, justice and the common good.
It further acknowledged that individual Christians are free to exercise their civic and democratic rights but maintained that no individual or group should exploit the name, office or identity of the Church or its ministers for partisan political interests.
Consequently, the Diocese demanded the immediate removal of Bishop Obodo’s name, alongside the names of all other Catholic priests included without their knowledge and consent, from the campaign council list and all related publications.
It also 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.
The disclaimer was signed by Very Rev. Fr. Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie, Diocesan Chancellor and Secretary of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
Similarly, CAN Enugu State Chapter, in a separate disclaimer dated October 29, 2026, disowned the publication, stating that neither the association nor the religious leaders named in the campaign council list were consulted before its release.
The statement, signed by Rev. Innocent Offor, Secretary of CAN Enugu, specifically noted that the association did not authorise, endorse or consent to the inclusion of its leadership in the APC Campaign Council.
CAN warned that the publication must not be interpreted as an indication of the association’s political affiliation, endorsement of any political party or participation in partisan political activities.
The Christian body explained that CAN is a religious organisation committed to promoting Christian unity, Christian values and the spiritual and moral welfare of the faithful.
It noted that its membership cuts across different Christian denominations and includes individuals with diverse political affiliations and convictions.
According to the association, CAN must remain a unifying platform for Christians, irrespective of their political leanings.
It described the presentation of Christian leaders as members of a partisan political campaign structure without their prior knowledge, consultation and consent as inappropriate, warning that such an action could create unnecessary division within the Church and undermine the unity and impartiality expected of religious leadership.
CAN Enugu consequently dissociated itself from the campaign council publication and urged members of the public, particularly Christians, to disregard any suggestion that the inclusion of the names amounted to an endorsement of or participation in the APC campaign council.
The association also called on the publishers and relevant authorities to acknowledge its clarification and take necessary steps to correct the impression created by the unauthorised publication.
Reaffirming its nonpartisan position, CAN declared that the Church belongs to Christ and must remain a home for all, irrespective of political affiliation.
The CAN disclaimer was signed by Rev. Innocent Offor, Secretary of the association in Enugu State. The document also identified Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Obodo as its state chairman.
The two disclaimers have put the Enugu APC Campaign Council list under scrutiny, particularly over the inclusion of prominent religious leaders without their consent.
Both Christian organisations have made it clear that the appearance of their leaders’ names on the list should not be taken as evidence of institutional political support or endorsement.
Their central demand is that the unauthorised publication be corrected and that the names and identities of religious leaders should not be used to create a false impression of political alignment.
