The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued decisive directives aimed at ending the long-running crisis between St. Luke’s Cathedral Church, Sapele, and the Diocese of Sapele, a dispute that has lasted for nearly a decade.
In a statement conveyed on behalf of the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, The Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, the Director of the Justice, Equity and Peace Commission (JEPC), Ven. Adebayo Amos Gbeminiyi, announced a series of measures intended to restore peace, unity, and ecclesiastical order within the diocese.
Extending Advent greetings and Christmas goodwill, the Primate noted that several interventions—including committees, task forces, personal engagements by the Primate, and the Church of Nigeria Alternative Dispute Resolution Taskforce (CONADRT)—had been undertaken over the years to resolve the impasse.
According to the directive, St. Luke’s Cathedral is to commence immediate actions that will lead to the formal reception of the Bishop of Sapele back to his cathedral. This will culminate in a service of reconciliation and thanksgiving scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026, to be attended by CONADRT, following precedents set in the Ogoni and Igbomina dioceses.
The Primate further announced that the Special Archdeaconry and all churches aligned with it, pending the resolution of the crisis, have been revoked. All affected churches are to revert to their status as of 2014.
On clerical leadership, the statement confirmed that the retirement of Ven. Clement Oburoh upon attaining the statutory age of 70 took effect on Friday, November 7, 2025, and remains valid. Consequently, all actions, decisions, meetings, policies, and transfers carried out under his leadership after that date were declared null and void. Ven. Oburoh was directed to hand over all church documents and properties to the next most senior official, with a warning that failure to comply could prompt further action by the Church of Nigeria.
Additionally, all licensed priests previously within the Special Archdeaconry are to report to the Bishop of Sapele for disposition and posting on or before Monday, January 12, 2026. Churches within the Sapele Archdeaconry were also instructed to open their doors to clergy posted by the bishop.
The Primate emphasized that the directives represent the final position of the Church of Nigeria on the matter and are issued for strict compliance. He added that any individuals intending to leave the Anglican Church must first hand over all church documents and properties in their possession to the appropriate church authorities.
Welcoming the former Special Archdeaconry back into the Diocese of Sapele, the Church of Nigeria assured all returning churches, clergy, and members of a “wide-ranging amnesty” granted by the Bishop of Sapele. The Church also pledged continued engagement in peace-building, reconciliation, and the maintenance of lasting harmony.
The statement concluded with a prayerful assurance: “The Lord be with you.”
The directives were formally signed by Ven. Adebayo Amos Gbeminiyi, Director of the Justice, Equity and Peace Commission (JEPC), Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
