By Dr. Afam Okeke
In the last week, the media spaces have been inundated with various stories about Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, the Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Awka Diocese, and Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Chukwudi Ezeofor. Long story short, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Chukwudum Ndukuba, asked the Archbishop of Awka to proceed on a six-month leave and then appointed Rev. Chukwudi Ezeofor, of Aguata Diocese, to take over the Awka Diocese, so that an ongoing investigation involving Archbishop Ibezim can be conducted without any encumbrance. This issue has generated a lot of tension, prompting the Anambra State Police Command to intervene. As of Monday, October 26, the Bishops are meeting, trying to find common and peaceful ground. But this is what should have been done earlier.
Up to this moment, not many people have heard the side of Archbishop Ibezim in the story. This concern carries the weight of fundamental fairness, and if the Church has omitted that, as it appears, or did not care how the six-month leave handed to Archbishop Ibezim is seen, despite unresolved puzzles, then there is more to this case, and the Church must hold up the mirror for herself.
Around 2019, Bishop Alexander Ibezim contested the position of Archbishop with Bishop Chukwudi Ezeofor. Seven years ago, Bishop Ibezim won the election with an overwhelming vote numbering more than 100, against less than 10 votes garnered by his rival Bishop Ezeofor. Archbishop Ibezim ran for a second term unopposed. Then, two years into his second term, he was asked to proceed on leave, and the same Bishop Ezeofor, with whom he contested the Archbishop position, was asked to take his place. Does this not sound and look like a coup? Secondly, does it mean that the Church does not care what the faithful might think about this history? Thirdly, is there no other way around this issue?
For context, the accusation against Archbishop Ibezim has been around for a long time. In 2025, the first panel was set up by the Church. But till now, the report of the panel is unknown and unpublished. This doesn’t show accountability and fair play. A panel report not disclosed, not published, just swept under the carpet and moved on. Is this the best the Church can do? After more than one year, another panel was also set up on the same issue. About two months ago, the panel was constituted at Ekwulobia of Aguata Diocese. Since then, there has been no report from the panel. Instead, what followed was that the Primate called Archbishop Ibezim to Abuja to inform him to proceed on a six-month leave. There are reports that the Primate confirmed that Archbishop Ibezim is not holding the Church’s money realized from selling the properties of the Church. However, Primate Ndukuba reportedly explained that there is what he called “a little failure in leadership,” and that is why Archbishop Ibezim must step aside. He did not explain what constituted this failure of leadership. This is particularly concerning.
The Church must not only be fair, but must also be seen to be fair. Church politics is among the most bizarre and intriguing, which is why the Church must refrain from imposing any punishment until the investigations are fully and fairly concluded. Archbishop Ibezim deserves a fair hearing, and the Church must never be a place where people, much less a servant in the Lord’s Vineyard, are denied one. The basic truth is that no matter what the situation is, the Church must take a firm position. But this must be done in fairness, and informed by the values and ethos of the Christian faith.
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