Anglican Bishops defy heavy rain, protest church destruction in Onitsha

Anglican Bishops of the Province of the Niger have dismissed the six man panel of inquiry set up by Anambra State Government to unravel the circumstances that led to the demolition of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Oyeolu Oze, Oyi Local Government Area of the state fearing that it may not be just.
Archbishop of Province of the Niger and Bishop of Aguata Diocese, His Grace Most Rev. Christian Efobi who led eight Bishops of the Province to visit the Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo to protest against the demolition of its church building, said whatever report the panel will come up with will not be binding on the Anglican communion because its constitution was faulty.
Some of the Bishops who defied the heavy down pour in Onitsha and its environs to join in the protest arrived the church compound at exactly 3.30 pm. With Archbishop Efobi were Bishop Ephraim Ikeakor of Amichi Diocese, Bishop Godwin Okpala of Nnewi Diocese, Bishop Alex Ibezim of Awka Diocese, Bishop Samuel Ezeofor of Ogbaru Diocese, Bishop Anthony Nkwoka of Niger West Diocese, Bishop Henry Okeke of Mbamili Diocese and Bishop Ralph Okeke of Ihiala Diocese.
The Bishops stayed under the heavy rain without accepting any umbrella from the faithful who offered them, sang praises to God and prayed for the state and it leaders to have sense of good judgment and directions in handling issues that concern the state.
“The panel set up by the Anambra State Government was not well constituted, it is made up of people who cannot be bold enough to tell the State Governor the truth that he is taking wrong decision. They are his appointees, they can never be fair. That was why we got court injunction restraining them from sitting” said Efobi
Archhop Efobi warned that the Anglican Church should not be taken for granted in the state because they paved way for other churches to come into the state during the time of the early missionaries who brought religion into the state.
“We are going nowhere, nobody will eject  us from this premises,  this visit today should not be taken lightly by the government or those behind the destruction. We are peaceful people who believe in orderliness, but we should not be taken for granted by anybody or government” he said.
Sat news 4………………12/9