Awka, Anambra State. A group of protesters reportedly gathered outside St. Faith’s Anglican Cathedral on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, opposing the appointment of Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor as Supervising Bishop of the Diocese of Awka.

The account accompanying footage supplied to Anambra Socials identifies the gathering as a protest against Ezeofor’s appointment. It comes amid a dispute between the Church of Nigeria’s leadership and the Awka Diocesan Board over Archbishop Alexander Ibezim’s compulsory leave and arrangements for administering the diocese.

Footage shows a gathering with placards

People holding coloured placards in footage supplied with the report of a protest outside St. Faith’s Cathedral, Awka. The location and event date are attributed to the accompanying account; the original recorder has not been identified.

The recording shows people holding placards near vehicles and roadside buildings. It does not establish the size of the entire gathering, the identities or affiliations of every participant, or the views of the wider diocesan membership.

The supplied account links the protest to Ezeofor’s scheduled meeting with clergy and their wives. Anambra Socials has not independently confirmed the meeting’s proceedings or established whether the gathering disrupted it.

247 Ureports reported on 21 October that police and Agunechemba personnel were deployed at the cathedral ahead of the supervising bishop’s expected arrival.

Primate’s directive and the diocesan board’s response

According to SaharaReporters’ account of a 13 October letter, Primate Henry Ndukuba directed Ibezim to take six months’ compulsory leave while allegations and developments in the diocese were investigated. Ezeofor, Bishop of Aguata, was appointed to supervise Awka and coordinate the Province of the Niger during that period.

The report said the letter characterised the leave as an administrative measure to facilitate an impartial inquiry, rather than a disciplinary sanction. The allegations are not presented here as established findings.

The Sun reported on 18 October that Awka’s Diocesan Board rejected both decisions in a communiqué following its 16 October emergency meeting. The board disputed the Primate’s authority to make the changes, referred to pending litigation and maintained its support for Ibezim. Those are the board’s positions, not a judicial determination of the competing claims.

Chancellor challenges his reported removal

The dispute also involves Sir B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN, who signed the board’s communiqué as diocesan chancellor. Reports describe a 17 October letter from Ezeofor withdrawing his appointment, alleging that he had undermined the Primate’s authority.

TheNigeriaLawyer reported on 21 October that Nwofor challenged the removal and demanded withdrawal of the letter, a public apology and ₦5 billion in damages. It reported that he threatened legal action if his demands were not met.

A demand for damages is not a court award. Anambra Socials has not obtained a judgment determining that demand or resolving the disputed appointments.

Police explanation concerned the earlier Sunday service

In an explanation reported on 19 October, the Anambra State Police Command said its deployment at the cathedral for the preceding Sunday service was intended to maintain order and prevent a breakdown of peace. It cautioned against interpreting the presence of officers as support for either side.

That explanation provides context for security deployments during the dispute. It should not be mistaken for a separately verified police statement about the specific protest shown in the supplied video.

Church leadership calls for calm and due process

A Church of Nigeria statement dated 20 October, reproduced by Anglican Ink, appealed for calm and respect for ongoing church and judicial proceedings.

Through General Secretary Ven. Dr Festus Opara, the Church said its decisions followed enquiries and efforts at dialogue. It emphasised accountability, reconciliation and adherence to its governing procedures, while urging the public and media to avoid unverified information and inflammatory exchanges.

The administrative and legal issues remain contested in the sources reviewed. The reported protest adds a public dimension to that disagreement, but the footage cannot determine which side’s interpretation of church authority or the pending proceedings will prevail.

Sources and reporting basis

Editor’s note: This report distinguishes the supplied protest account, visible footage and attributed church, police and legal positions. It does not establish the truth of allegations under investigation or decide the validity of disputed church appointments. No new direct response from the named parties to this specific recording was obtained for this article.