By Michael Ovat -Awka
The crisis rocking the Diocese of Awka, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has deepened with the rejection of the recent suspension of Archbishop Alex Ibezim for six months by Primate of the Church, His Grace, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba.
Ibezim was last week suspended for six months by the Primate following allegation against him, which was contained in a petition by a church member which is still being litigated upon. In his stead, His Lordship Rt. Revd Samuel C. Ezeofor was appointed as supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of Province of the Niger.
Though the Archbishop had already challenged the decision in court, but the church’s Diocesan Board in an emergency meeting absolved Ibezim of guilt, passing a vote of confidence in him, while also rejecting the suspension and threatening to pull out of the Church of Nigeria if pushed further.
In a communique made available to journalists after the emergency meeting, which was signed by Lord Chancellor, Diocese of Awka Anglican Communion, Sir B.E.I Nwofor, Synod Secretary, Ven. K.E.N Chukwukamma, PhD and Lay Synod Secretary, Mr Eugene Chukwudi Okonkwo, the board deliberated on the letter containing the suspension.
Part of the communique raised after the meeting read: “The Board emphatically rejects in its entirety the said letter. More specifically, the Board rejects the directive to His Grace, The Most Revd Alexander C. Ibezim, PhD, Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop, Diocese of Awka to proceed on six months compulsory leave.
“The Board rejects the appointment of His Lordship Rt. Revd Samuel C. Ezeofor as supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of Province of the Niger.
“His Grace, The Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba, Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, His Lordship Rt. Revd Samuel C. Ezeofor and many members of the Church of Nigeria are fully aware of the pendency in court of these cases and are duty bound in law to refrain from doing any thing whatsoever to interfere with the subject matters of the suits until the determination of the cases by the court.”
Barr B.E.I Nwofor who chaired the meeting and co-signatory of the communique stated that: “There is no provision in both the Constitution and Canons of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 and the Constitution and Regulation of the Diocese of Awka 2023 which empowered, mandated or authorised the Primate, the Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba to direct Archbishop Ibezim to proceed on compulsory leave for Six Months or any period at all or to appoint any Bishop as the supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger to assume and exercise all episcopal responsibilities and oversight of the Diocese of Awka and the Province of the Niger during the period of the supported leave.
“Section 29(1) of the Constitution and Canons of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 cited by the Primate in his letter of 13th October, 2026 is inapplicable as it contains nothing empowering the Primate to force a fellow Bishop and Archbishop to proceed on compulsory leave and handover his duties to another Bishop and precluding the Bishop from officiating in any activities of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), of the Niger Province and Awka Diocese.”
The Board warned that it will not hesitate to invoke the law as well as law enforcement agencies if the said warning is jettisoned. It also directed all organs of the Diocese of Awka to remain loyal to Ibezim, and to go ahead with their lawful activities and reject any interference or directive from Rt Revd Ezeofor.
It added: “To do otherwise will attract appropriate sanctions. The board emphatically state that if the Primate and Bishop Ezeofor continues threatening the peace of Awka Diocese and its Archbishop and Bishop and unlawfully interfere with its affairs, it shall withdraw from the Church of Nigeria and continue with Church of England which never disturbed the Diocese.”
