Anglican Communion refutes reports on bishop’s election

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has refuted claims on social media that its February 6, 2018 election of a successor to the Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Archbishop Ephraim Ademowo, who retires in August, was flawed.

The publications, which went viral on social media claimed that the election was not free and fair, a position that was also canvassed by some members of the Church.

But in its reaction, the Church said the publications were meant to tarnish its good image, just as they were intended to misinform and mislead members of the public.

A statement by the Church’s Episcopal Secretary, Reverend David O.C. Onuoha, said: “The attention of the Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has been drawn to publications in the social media about the February 6 election of a successor to the Diocese of Lagos, who retires in August 2018.

“The election was held in four other dioceses at the Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas, Ilorin, Kwara Diocese, in accordance with the Church’s laid down rules and regulations. It was free, fair and credible.

“A total of 161 bishops participated in the election and pursuant to the provisions of Canon V of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria 1997 (as Amended), candidates were nominated after advice from the diocese, which favoured translation was circulated and read.

“The procedure before every election in the House of Bishops is to appoint a team of returning officers to collate the results. This was strictly followed with the Reverend Sosthenes Eze, Bishop of Enugu North Diocese, leading eight other Bishops to perform this sacred duty.”

According to the statement, Reverend Michael Fape and Reverend Humphrey Olumakaiye, contested the election after their nomination.

It explained that only Fape and Olumakaiye were duly nominated and seconded by members of the house without any objections, adding that after the voting by secret ballot, Fape scored 51, while Olumakaiye scored 109. One member was absent at the election.