February 19, 2018

PRESS RELEASE

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 incumbent Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, who retires in August 2018. These publications are obviously not intended to do any good to the church. They are in the least intended to misinform and mislead the unsuspecting public.

This particular election was .held alongside four others at the Cathedral Church of St Barnabas, Ilorin in the Diocese of Kwara, Kwara State in accordance with the church’s laid down rules and regulations. The event was free and fair.

A total of 161 bishops participated 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 the advice from the diocese, which favoured translation, had been 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 Rt. Rev Sosthenes Eze, bishop of Enugu North diocese, leading eight other bishops to perform this sacred duty.

Only two candidates, Most Rev Michael Fape and Rt. Rev Humphrey Olumakaiye were duly nominated and seconded by highly respected members of the house without any objection raised against any of them. After the voting which was by secret ballot, the result was declared as follows:

Most Rev’d Michael Fape               – 51
Rt. Rev Humphrey Olumakaiye   – 109
Absention                                           – 1

By this result Rt. Rev’d Humphrey Olumakaiye, Bishop ofOsun North East became duly elected for translation to the See of Lagos.

The Primate as the President of the Episcopal Synod statutorily calls for nominations, and after the voting and counting of votes by those responsible, announces the results as submitted by the chief returning officer. Votes are cast, counted and results declared in the full glare of the general house.

It is, therefore, uncharitable to attempt to smear the image of our beloved Primate, Most Rev Nicholas D Okoh, instead of thanking God for the numerous blessings He has graciously granted His church since the inception of this administration.

We call on the discerning public, especially all Anglican faithful to disregard the said malicious publications in their entirety as they are baseless and without any iota of truth. The bishops of the Church of Nigeria remain resolute and united in their determination to uphold godliness and righteousness in their service to God and humanity.

We also call on our brethren who have fallen into this temptation of seeking to destabilize the church to use this period of Lent to seek God’s face in repentance that He may grant them forgiveness and time for amendment of life.

Rt. Rev David O C Onuoha
Episcopal Secretary