The Catholic Diocese of Enugu and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Enugu objected to reports that clerics were listed on an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council, warning the names could imply partisan support.
In a press release dated Oct. 28, the APC said Enugu Gov. Peter Mbah would chair a council with 51 directorates formed ahead of the 2027 elections. The announcement described the council’s size and leadership but did not name Auxiliary Bishop Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo.
Premium Times, The Source and Anchor Reporters reported that a campaign list named Obodo to lead a Christian faith-based unit. The outlets differed on the unit’s title: Premium Times called it a faith-based campaign group, while The Source described it as a Christian directorate. The reported listing remains unverified; the APC announcement does not identify Obodo.
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu said Obodo was named without his knowledge or consent. It demanded the removal of his name and the names of any Catholic priests listed without their knowledge or consent. The diocese warned that further unauthorized use of Obodo’s name, title, image or ecclesiastical office could lead to legal action.
CAN Enugu said neither it nor the religious leaders named had been consulted. In a statement signed by secretary Innocent Offor, it said the association had not authorized or endorsed the inclusion. CAN asked publishers and relevant authorities to correct the impression created by the list.
The diocese said the listing could misrepresent Obodo’s political position and harm his ecclesiastical reputation. CAN warned that associating Christian leaders with a political party could create division and undermine the impartiality expected of religious figures. The organizations’ objections focus on consent and the possibility that names on a party campaign list could be taken as signs of church support.
