The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has rejected the reported inclusion of the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, in the Enugu State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council.
The Diocese described the inclusion of Bishop Obodo’s name as Director of the Faith-Based Campaign Group without his knowledge or consent as “wholly unauthorised, misleading and unacceptable.”
In a disclaimer dated October 30, 2026, and signed by the Diocesan Chancellor and Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie, the Church said the action “creates a false impression of his political disposition and constitutes a serious misrepresentation that undermines his integrity and ecclesiastical reputation.”
Bishop Obodo, who also serves as Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Enugu State, strongly condemned the reported inclusion of his name.
The Diocese also made it clear that the Catholic Church does not participate in partisan politics or endorse political parties.
“We reiterate that the Catholic Church does not engage in partisan politics, participate in political campaigns or endorse political parties,” the statement said.
It added that the Church remains politically neutral and committed to its spiritual mission and the promotion of peace, justice and the common good.
While acknowledging that individual Christians are free to exercise their democratic rights, the Diocese warned that nobody should use the name or identity of the Church or its ministers for political interests.
The Church therefore demanded the immediate removal of Bishop Obodo’s name and those of other Catholic priests allegedly included without their knowledge or consent from the campaign list and related publications.
It also warned that any continued unauthorised use of the Bishop’s name, title, image or ecclesiastical office for political purposes would attract legal action.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Catholic Church is not a political campaign organisation and must not be presented as one,” the Diocese stated.
