Enugu Protests Ike's Emergence As Bishop
Anglican Communion in Enugu State rejects Venerable Professor Samuel Obiajulu Ike's election as bishop, citing indigenous concerns, echoing similar sentiments that led to the rejection of Bishop Peter Okpaleke in Ahiara Diocese
The Anglican Communion in Enugu State, has rejected the election of an Anambra man, Venerable Professor Samuel Obiajulu Ike, as their bishop of Enugu Diocese of the church.
The church members protested Bishop Ike's election on Monday, August 12, 2024, during the Episopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communinion at St Matthew’s Anglican Church Maitama, in Abuja.
This development is coming some few years after Bishop Peter Okpaleke from Anambra State was rejected by the Ahiara Diocese of the Catholic Church in Imo State, who rejected the Pope errered by appointing a non- indigenous person as their bishop.
Okpaleke was later appointed the bishop of Ekwulobia, in Anambra State and later made Cardinal by Pope Francis
Members of the church, who are indigenous people of Enugu State, noted that the process was unfair adding that it did not reflect the will of the people.
According to a petition signed by a Justice Advocate, Kingsley Okah, on behalf of the people of Enugu, the outcome of the election was a clear indication of the church’s insensitivity and disregard for fairness and justice.
The petition accused Ven. Prof. Ike of being a puppet of the retired Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma of Enugu State, who they alleged, had been accused of atrocities during his tenure in Enugu.
They further argued that the Anglican Church Communication, had consistently marginalized the people of Enugu, stating that the out- going Bishop of Enug was from Asaba in Delta State, while Ike would be coming from Anambra State.
The petition demanded that the church's hierarchy revisits the election outcome, citing the need for fairness and justice in the administration of the church in the state, even as it threatened to explore legal means to assert their rights and borrow strategies from the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, which successfully rejected Okpaleke.
According to a petition signed by a Justice Advocate, Kingsley Okah, on behalf of the people of Enugu, the outcome of the election was a clear indication of the church’s insensitivity and disregard for fairness and justice.
The petition accused Ven. Prof. Ike of being a puppet of the retired Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma of Enugu State, who they alleged, had been accused of atrocities during his tenure in Enugu.
They further argued that the Anglican Church Communication, had consistently marginalized the people of Enugu, stating that the out- going Bishop of Enug was from Asaba in Delta State, while Ike would be coming from Anambra State.
The petition demanded that the church's hierarchy revisits the election outcome, citing the need for fairness and justice in the administration of the church in the state, even as it threatened to explore legal means to assert their rights and borrow strategies from the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, which successfully rejected Okpaleke.
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