The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has rejected the inclusion of Auxiliary Bishop Ernest Obodo in the Enugu State All Progressives Congress (APC) Faith-Based Campaign Group. According to the diocese's Secretary, Wilfred Agubuchi, the inclusion of the clerics was unauthorised, misleading, and unacceptable. The diocese stated that Bishop Obodo was listed as the director of the Faith-Based campaign council without his knowledge or consent.
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu emphasised that the church does not engage in partisan politics, participate in political campaigns, or endorse political parties. The church remains politically neutral and committed to its spiritual mission and the promotion of peace, justice, and the common good. While individual Christians have the right to engage in partisan politics, the church must not be associated with such activity.
The diocese demanded the withdrawal of Bishop Obodo's name and other clerics from the campaign council. The diocese also threatened to take legal action if the bishop's name, title, image, or ecclesiastical office were used for partisan political purposes without authorisation. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Enugu State Chapter also opposed the inclusion of Bishop Obodo in the campaign council.
CAN Enugu State Chapter stated that Bishop Obodo's name and those of other members were added to the campaign council without approval. The association's Secretary, Innocent Offor, said that CAN Enugu did not authorise, endorse, or consent to the inclusion of its leadership in the campaign council. The publication was not an indication of the association's political affiliation or endorsement of any political party.
CAN Enugu dissociated itself from the publication and urged the public to disregard any suggestion that the inclusion of these names represented the endorsement or participation of CAN Enugu or the affected Church leaders in the APC campaign council. The association called on the publishers and relevant authorities to acknowledge this clarification and correct the impression created by the unauthorised publication.
The inclusion of clerics in the APC campaign list created a false impression of their political disposition and constituted a serious misrepresentation capable of undermining their integrity and ecclesiastical reputation. The Catholic Diocese of Enugu and CAN Enugu State Chapter stressed that it was improper for the APC to present Christian leaders as members of a partisan political campaign structure without their prior knowledge and consent.
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu and CAN Enugu State Chapter reiterated their commitment to maintaining the neutrality and impartiality expected of religious leadership. The associations urged the public to be aware of the unauthorised inclusion of clerics in the APC campaign list and to disregard any related publications.
Key points
- The Catholic Diocese of Enugu and CAN Enugu State Chapter rejected the inclusion of clerics in the APC campaign list.
- The diocese and CAN Enugu State Chapter emphasised that the church and the association do not engage in partisan politics.
- The diocese demanded the withdrawal of the clerics' names from the campaign council and threatened legal action if necessary.
