Awka Anglican Church Leadership Crisis Takes a New Turn as Diocesan Board Rejects Archbishop Ibezim’s Suspension

By Ifeizu Joe

The leadership crisis rocking the Diocese of Awka, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has deepened following the rejection of the six-month suspension of Archbishop Alexander C. Ibezim by the Diocesan Board.

The suspension was announced last week by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, following allegations against Ibezim contained in a petition by a church member. The matter is reportedly the subject of ongoing court proceedings.

Following the suspension, the Primate appointed the Rt. Rev. Samuel C. Ezeofor as Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.

However, the Diocesan Board, at an emergency meeting, rejected the suspension, declared its confidence in Ibezim and questioned the authority of the Primate to impose the compulsory leave.

The Archbishop has also challenged the suspension in court.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting and made available to journalists, the board warned that it could withdraw from the Church of Nigeria if the dispute persisted.

The communiqué was signed by the Diocese’s Lord Chancellor, Sir B.E.I. Nwofor; Synod Secretary, Ven. K.E.N. Chukwukamma, PhD; and Lay Synod Secretary, Mr Eugene Chukwudi Okonkwo.

Board Rejects Suspension, Appointment of Supervising Bishop

The board, in the communiqué, declared its outright rejection of the letter suspending Ibezim for six months and the appointment of Ezeofor to oversee the diocese and province.

“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 communiqué stated.

It also rejected Ezeofor’s appointment as Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.

The board further argued that the Primate and other church officials were aware of the pending court cases and should refrain from actions that could interfere with the issues before the court until the matters were determined.

Board Questions Primate’s Constitutional Powers

Nwofor, who chaired the emergency meeting and co-signed the communiqué, maintained that the constitutions and canons governing the Church of Nigeria and the Diocese of Awka did not empower the Primate to compel Ibezim to proceed on compulsory leave.

According to him, neither the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020 nor the Constitution and Regulations of the Diocese of Awka 2023 authorises the Primate to suspend the Archbishop in the manner described or appoint another bishop to assume his episcopal responsibilities.

The communiqué specifically challenged the Primate’s reliance on Section 29(1) of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020.

Nwofor argued that the provision did not grant the Primate the authority to compel a fellow bishop or archbishop to proceed on compulsory leave or prevent the cleric from performing his duties within the church.

He further maintained that the provision did not authorise the transfer of the Archbishop’s responsibilities to another bishop pending the resolution of the dispute.

Board Directs Diocese to Remain Loyal to Ibezim

The board warned that it would consider legal action and involve law enforcement agencies if its position was disregarded.

It also directed all organs of the Diocese of Awka to remain loyal to Ibezim, continue their lawful activities and reject any interference or directives from Ezeofor.

“To do otherwise will attract appropriate sanctions,” the communiqué warned.

The board further stated that it would consider withdrawing from the Church of Nigeria if the Primate and Ezeofor continued to interfere in the affairs of the diocese and, according to the board, threaten its peace and that of its Archbishop.

It declared that, in such circumstances, the diocese could return to the Church of England, which it said had not interfered with its affairs.

The latest development has heightened tensions within the Diocese of Awka, with the dispute now involving competing positions on church governance, episcopal authority and the implications of the pending court cases.

The outcome of the legal proceedings and any subsequent action by the Church of Nigeria’s leadership could prove decisive in determining the next phase of the crisis.
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