Awka, Anambra State. A group of clergymen in the Anglican Diocese of Awka has reportedly declared support for the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), amid continuing disagreement over the leadership of the diocese.

According to the account accompanying a video supplied to Anambra Socials, the clergy also reject resolutions attributed to a disputed Diocesan Board meeting. The development points to differing positions within the diocese, rather than an established consensus among all its clergy or members.

Recorded declaration

Supplied recording attributed to a group of Awka Anglican clergy. The visible watermark reads “anambra_diaries”; the original recorder, recording date and full list of participants have not been independently established. The full supplied 60-second clip is retained.

The recording shows a speaker holding a microphone in a church setting. The accompanying account identifies the statement as a declaration of allegiance to the Primate and a rejection of the outcome of an allegedly secret board meeting.

Anambra Socials has not independently established how that meeting was convened, who was invited, the number of clergy endorsing the declaration or whether the supplied excerpt contains the entire statement. The description of the meeting as secret remains an attributed allegation.

Background to the leadership dispute

Earlier reporting by PUNCH describes a letter dated 13 October 2026 in which the Primate, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, directed Archbishop Alexander Ibezim, Bishop of Awka and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger, to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave.

The same reporting says the Bishop of Aguata, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, was appointed Supervising Bishop of Awka and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger during Ibezim’s absence.

The Diocesan Board subsequently opposed those decisions. An 18 October report on the Anambra State Government’s news website describes a communiqué issued after an emergency board meeting held on 16 October at the Chapel of Divine Favour, Anglican Village, Ifite-Awka.

That report records the Board’s position that Ibezim remained its recognised bishop and that the Primate’s directive and Ezeofor’s appointment should not stand. It also records the Board citing pending litigation in support of its position.

Competing positions within the diocese

The reported clergy declaration differs from the position set out in the Board’s communiqué. However, a public declaration by one group does not establish the position of every cleric, parish or lay member.

The Board’s arguments about church authority and pending cases are its stated position. They should not be read as a judicial determination. This report does not establish a final court ruling settling who may exercise the disputed responsibilities.

Anambra Socials previously reported on the dispute surrounding the supervising bishop and a reported protest at St. Faith’s Cathedral. The latest supplied account adds another perspective to that continuing disagreement.

Questions still requiring clarification

A complete, dated declaration and a verified list of its signatories would help establish the scope of the clergy group’s position. The procedures used for the disputed board meeting, any response specifically addressing this declaration, and the current status of the relevant court proceedings also require clarification.

The material reviewed does not establish that reconciliation has been reached or that either side’s interpretation of church rules has been conclusively upheld.

Sources and reporting basis

Background sources checked on 22 October 2026. Reports of the earlier Board position are included for context and do not independently verify every claim made in the supplied declaration account. No claim is made here that the parties were contacted and declined to respond.