UNN party tragedy: Survivor recounts moments before losing consciousness

 

 

A survivor of the off-campus party at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, where four students died and six others were hospitalised, has recounted how he lost consciousness while cleaning up after another attendee vomited during the gathering.

 

The 24-year-old survivor also disclosed that it was his first time consuming alcohol, expressing regret over the experience and vowing never to drink again.

He spoke in an interview with Vanguard on Friday, where he narrated how he attended the gathering after being invited by a friend identified as David, who organised the party to celebrate the completion of his examinations.

According to him, the party started at about 11.30pm at an apartment in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with about 10 people in attendance.

He said the attendees played truth or dare and shared two bottles of alcoholic drinks, Magic Moments and Best, which were poured into party cups in small quantities.

“My friend organised the party and invited me. He said I should come. Then, he brought Magic Moments and Best. We bought them and took them home.

“The party began around 11.30pm. We started playing games, truth or dare. It is just like a fun game where if you are told to say the truth, you say the truth about something, and if they dare you to do something, you do it,” he said.

The survivor said the game was purely for entertainment and that participants were not paid to take part.

 

Recounting how he collapsed, he said one of the male attendees vomited during the gathering, prompting him to help the person clean up.

 

“At a point, one of the boys vomited, and I took him to the bathroom and told him to clean himself up. I brought out a rag to clean the curtain he vomited on.

 

“When I finished, I went to drop the bucket of water. I lost consciousness there,” he said.

 

He explained that the gathering took place in the parlour of a one-bedroom apartment, where the windows were shut and a fan was being used.

 

According to him, although the apartment had an air conditioner, it was not switched on, while a generator was running outside the corridor, not far from where they were.

 

On the quantity of alcohol consumed, he said the drinks were shared in small amounts because the group had only two bottles.

 

“It was a party cup. It was not up to a quarter of the party cup that we used. We took small quantities because we had only two bottles. If we were to serve it full, it would not have gone round,” he said.

 

Speaking on his health condition, the survivor said he was recovering but remained unable to use his legs properly.

 

“Currently, I am getting better. It is just that my legs are still stiff. I cannot still use my legs,” he said.

 

He confirmed that he was receiving medical attention and disclosed that the university’s Vice-Chancellor had visited the affected students, alongside some local government representatives and friends.

 

Reflecting on the incident, he said he was still struggling to come to terms with what happened, particularly because he had never consumed alcohol before.

 

“I feel so numb because I never even thought of what would happen at first, because this is just the first time I am taking alcohol and it has got me to this extent.

 

“So I am not really proud of it. But I know that this will be the last of it,” he said.

 

The survivor also said he could not establish whether the drinks had been contaminated, adding that people had repeatedly asked him if someone might have poisoned them.

 

He said police officers also questioned him about whether he had any disagreement with anyone or suspected anybody of attempting to harm him.

 

However, he said he told the officers that he did not suspect anyone.

 

The incident, which occurred at an off-campus gathering in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, left four students dead and six others hospitalised.

 

The Enugu State Police Command said the four deceased students, comprising two males and two females, were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.

 

The police said alcoholic beverages were recovered from the scene, adding that the remains of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy as investigations continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

 

The university subsequently confirmed the deaths of four students and announced three days of mourning, during which academic and social activities were suspended. Punch

2027: Obi Media Office warns over alleged plots to pad voter register

 

The Peter Obi Media Office has alert of alleged plots to pad voter register and manipulate elections especially in the South East.
In a statement on Thursday, the Media Office said: “Information received by the Peter Obi Media Office indicates that elements within the ruling APC may be coordinating efforts to weaken confidence in the 2027 general elections, with particular concern regarding the South-East.

The reports allege that operatives linked to the Presidency, together with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have (allegedly) been sent to the region to support the relocation of polling and collation centres and to alter voter records before election day.

“Of even greater concern are allegations that fictitious names may be added to the electoral register, potentially enabling votes to be credited to people who were not present at polling units and did not cast ballots.”

The Office warned that “such conduct would strike at the fundamental basis of democracy and indicate an effort to compromise the electoral process before Nigerians have the opportunity to vote.

“We therefore call on INEC to provide an immediate and transparent explanation of whether it has approved any relocation of polling or collation centres and to release all related changes for public review.

“We further call on INEC to safeguard the integrity of the voter register, undertake an independent review of recent uploads and amendments, and ensure that no individual is recorded as having voted before appearing in person and completing the required voting procedure.”

The statement urged the Presidency to publicly distance itself from any fraudulent scheme of this nature and assure the public that no government agency is being used to manipulate the electoral process.

“We caution that any effort to fabricate votes, change polling locations, or compromise the collation process will be opposed through every lawful and democratic avenue.

“Nigeria cannot afford an election in which the results are purportedly determined before voting begins.
“The ballot must represent the will of genuine voters, not the calculations of desperate politicians.”

Turning to the electoral body, the Media Office said: “INEC must recognise that its credibility is at stake. Nigerians are watching, and the international community must remain equally attentive.
“The 2027 election must be determined by voters, not electoral manipulators,” the statement concluded.

 

Obi stopped from greeting the victorious Under-17 Flamingos

 

*Officials claim sack threat

 

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, was prevented from greeting the victorious women’s Under-17 World Champions at the airport this morning.

Obi was at the airport on his way to Enugu and saw the team that had just arrived, but as he tried to greet them, the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) pleaded with him to save their jobs.

In his usual Obi character, he respected their position but described the situation on his X handle as “A NEW DIMENSION OF TOXIC POLITICS IN NIGERIA.” According to the frontline presidential candidate in the January 16, 2027, all-important election, “this is the new dimension of toxic politics that Nigeria has developed since 2025.”

“I arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. to board my flight to Enugu. There, I saw the Nigeria Under-17 girls’ team, which had just arrived and was preparing to board its vehicle into town.

“With genuine joy and enthusiasm, I asked my protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether I could greet and welcome the team. I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had refused and had requested that I (should) not approach them because, if I did, they would all lose their jobs.

“Regrettably, this is not the first time I have been subjected to such treatment. On March 25, 2025, I was in Uyo for the World Cup qualifier. The governor warmly received me and welcomed me at the VIP stand.

“Following the match, other government officials went to greet the players, but I was again prevented from doing so. I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded.

“It is deeply troubling to witness the extent of toxic politics into which our nation has descended since 2025. Each year appears to bring further deterioration. This reflects how deeply Nigeria has been affected.

“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation.

“It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences,” Obi stated.

 

NDC speaks on Peter Obi’s health, says he’s in perfect condition

 

By Okey Muogbo

Deputy Campaign Spokesperson of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Sam Omale, has dismissed concerns about the health of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

He insisted that Obi is in good health but needs rest due to exhaustion.

Omale made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television.

He attributed Obi’s reported condition to his demanding political schedule and frequent travels across the country.

 

 

The Spokesman added that the former Anambra State governor is deeply committed to his political activities and often moves between different locations within a short period, leaving himself with little time to rest.

 

Describing Obi as someone who handles several responsibilities at once, Omale said the NDC flagbearer’s level of activity sometimes leaves even members of his team wondering how he keeps up.

“Sometimes I wonder where he gets his energy from. He is in London today and the following morning in Enugu. I’m wondering how he does it. Exhaustion comes in; he is a human being,” Omale said.

 

 

Obi, he assured was not suffering from any known medical condition, adding that those around him were encouraging him to slow down and get enough sleep.

 

“He is in perfect health. There’s nothing wrong with him. It’s just exhaustion, and we are trying to calm him down to take a sleep. He is fine,” he added.

Nigerians will choose the best product in the marketplace’- Obi Media tells desperate Governors

 

The Peter Obi Media Office said it has become aware of a series of covert efforts by state governors to undermine the democratic process.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Office cautioned that any process that falls short of free, fair, and transparent elections will fail, as Nigerians will resist it.

“The Media Office reminds the governors that, regardless of their fraudulent efforts, they are presenting a poor product, and Nigerians will select the best option available in the market.

“We therefore condemn the increasing desperation of these governors, who, instead of presenting their records of service, performance, and achievements, are turning to electoral manipulation and safeguards for rigging.

“Leadership,” the Office said “is a privilege earned through service; it is not a mandate to retain power through deceit, intimidation, or interference with the democratic process.

“Nigerians have had enough and remain determined to reject undeserving leaders who have failed them,” it stated.

The statement went further to insist that the 2027 election will be a defining moment for our nation, adding that Nigerians were resolved to reclaim their country through the power of their votes.

”Let it be known that no degree of rigging, intimidation, or political manoeuvring can permanently silence the will of the people.

 

“Peter Obi continues to be the people’s preferred choice because he embodies the strongest offering in the political arena: a leader defined by competence, capacity, character, compassion, and commitment, capable of raising Nigeria from its current condition and restoring its dignity, prosperity, and hope.

“The mandate rests with the people. Nigeria must function again, and it will be OK,” the Media Office concluded.

Imo West: A hilarious charade and the rainbow

Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu

This is about how celebrations by Action Alliance (AA) and Action Peoples Party (APP) of Justice Obiora Egwuatu’s decision in the matter of the Orlu Senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expose an external plot against Imo State’s progress. Their celebrations tell us that in the turbulent theatre of Nigerian politics, few spectacles match the absurdity of minor parties popping champagne over a court order that has little direct bearing on their own fortunes.

Here is why! The recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove Governor Hope Uzodimma’s name as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Orlu Senatorial Zone (Imo West) and substitute that of former Governor Rochas Okorocha has triggered predictable reactions. What stands out as particularly comic, however, is the gleeful celebration by elements of the AA and the APP in Imo State. Their public jubilation is not the spontaneous joy of principled democrats but the involuntary confession of actors who understand that the order serves interests far larger than the internal APC primary dispute it purports to resolve. It is evidence that forces outside Imo State are determined to impose a political fait accompli on the state, interrupt its progressive trajectory under Uzodimma’s leadership, and replace organic development with externally scripted disruption.

Compounding the farce is Senator Sam Anyanwu’s concurrent call for Imo people to embrace the so-called Rainbow Coalition. That invitation does not advance justice, and it betrays the very purpose the court order is being made to serve. This is in spite of the fact that Imo people are witnesses to developments in neighbouring Rivers State where governance and development have been stalled since 2024 due to contestation for control of state resources between the promoter-in-chief of the coalition and the governor. That control has turned the once-vibrant Rivers State into a laughing stock, with a governor who has been bullied into submission such that he can no longer assert himself. Unlike Rivers’ people, the people of Imo State will not be foolish enough to follow the Rainbow and deliver their state into a political gulag whose gates are manned by external beings.

Let’s return to the court order which arose from a contested APC primary held on 18 May 2026. Official results declared Uzodimma the winner by an overwhelming margin. Okorocha challenged the outcome, and Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that Okorocha had actually secured the majority of lawful votes, ordered INEC to publish Okorocha’s name, and restrained Uzodimma from parading himself as the candidate. It is significant that APC structures in Imo have rejected the judgment and signalled an appeal. The legal process will continue to the Supreme Court. However, what requires no further litigation is the political meaning of the celebrations that followed. When parties with negligible electoral value in Orlu zone suddenly find reason for public merriment over an APC internal matter, the celebration itself becomes the evidence. Action Alliance and Action Peoples Party have not been contenders for the Imo West senatorial seat. Not even for the House of Representatives or the State Assembly. Their sudden enthusiasm therefore reveals that the court order is being received by them not as a technical correction of a primary result but as a strategic victory against the dominant political force presented by Uzodimma, which has delivered measurable progress in Imo.

Under Governor Uzodimma, Imo has pursued a consistent agenda of infrastructure renewal, improved security coordination, and administrative reforms that have restored a measure of predictability after years of turbulence. Roads have been dualised, urban centres given attention, and the state’s profile within the Southeast elevated through disciplined engagement with the federal centre. Sadly, progressive developments of this kind threaten those who thrive on perpetual crisis and those who prefer that Imo State remains a bargaining chip in larger national negotiations. An order that weakens the sitting governor’s political standing, even temporarily, creates space for external players to insert themselves into the mix and draw political capital. The laughter from AA and APP is therefore the sound of people who believe that the space has now opened. Their celebration is hilarious because it is so transparent and readable. They are not celebrating the purity of primary democracy but celebrating the prospect that the machinery of progressive governance in Imo State can be stalled long enough for outsiders to impose their preferred outcomes.

This is the classic pattern of external instrumentation. A judgment delivered far from Owerri, based on documents and affidavits whose authenticity remains contested by the party structures on the ground, is immediately weaponised by actors with no organic stake in Orlu zone’s welfare. The timing here is instructive. The order arrives in an atmosphere already charged by national conversations about coalitions and realignments ahead of 2027. It arrives after sustained efforts to portray the Imo State government as isolated. It arrives when the governor’s insistence on internal party discipline and rejection of externally driven “rainbow” experiments has become public. The sequence therefore suggests coordination rather than coincidence. Forces that cannot defeat Uzodimma at the ballot or through superior local organisation have discovered that the courtroom in Abuja can achieve what the streets of Orlu will not. The celebrations of AA and APP function as the public relations wing of that discovery. They broadcast the message that the order is not merely about two APC politicians but about creating a vacuum that outsiders can fill.

Into that vacuum steps Senator Anyanwu with his call for Imo people to back the Rainbow Coalition. That should be dead on arrival. The invitation is presented as progressive opposition politics. But in reality it betrays the purpose that the court order is being pressed to serve. If the order were truly about the integrity of party primaries and the rule of law, the appropriate response would be to allow the appellate process to run its course and to focus political energy on presenting superior policy alternatives to the electorate. Instead, Anyanwu’s call treats the judicial setback as an opportunity to accelerate an external political project. The Rainbow Coalition, whatever its rhetorical packaging, functions as a vehicle for interests that have consistently sought to dictate terms to Imo State rather than persuade its people. By linking the court outcome to a broader invitation to abandon the state’s current developmental path, Anyanwu converts a legal dispute into a political instrument of disruption. That conversion is the betrayal. The court order is thereby made to serve not justice within APC but the larger project of terminating Imo State’s progressive march and replacing it with a coalition whose primary loyalty lies outside the state. But unknown to Sen. Anyanwu, his political capital, whatever it is, has been deeply eroded by his open and total submission to the promoter of the Rainbow Coalition.

So, the hilarious quality of the AA and APP celebrations lies in their unintentional honesty. These parties understand that their own relevance depends on the weakening of the dominant progressive structure. They cannot win Orlu zone on their own merits, so they cheer any development that appears to diminish the man who has kept them marginal. Their joy is the joy of the bystander who benefits when the strong are momentarily distracted. It is also the joy of those who have been promised a role in the new arrangement once the external forces complete their work. In that sense, the celebrations are not comic relief but confirmatory evidence. When parties that ordinarily struggle for visibility suddenly find the resources and the platform to celebrate a High Court order concerning another party’s primary, the coordination is no longer hidden. The external hand becomes visible in the applause.

However, Imo State’s progressive development is not an abstract slogan. It is the concrete improvement in the daily experience of citizens who remember the insecurity and administrative paralysis of the Rochas Okorocha years. Any project that seeks to terminate that trajectory, whether through judicial surprise or through coalition invitations, must be named for what it is: an attempt to impose a political outcome that the people of Imo State have not chosen. The court order may yet be reviewed by higher courts. The celebrations of Action Alliance and Action Peoples Party, however, have already performed their function. They have revealed the larger design. Sen. Anyanwu’s call has performed a similar service by making explicit the political destination that the order is meant to facilitate. Together they create a single narrative of external forces seeking to create a vacuum in Imo State, minor political parties providing the applause track, and opposition figures attempting to convert a legal dispute into a mandate for regime change and submitting Imo State to destabilisation in the hands of a coalition for which Rivers State is a testimonial.

The people of Orlu zone and of Imo State more broadly are not obliged to accept this script. They can recognise the comedy in the celebrations without mistaking it for a verdict on their own future. They can insist that the integrity of internal party processes be determined by evidence and appellate review rather than by the volume of applause from parties that have never won their confidence. They can reject the invitation to trade hard-won stability for the uncertain promises of a rainbow that is being painted from outside the state. The people of Imo State understand quite well that progressive development is not terminated by a single court order, nor is it advanced by opportunistic celebrations. For them, it is sustained by the continued judgment of citizens who refuse to allow their state to become the playground of external ambitions. The hilarious celebrations of Action Alliance and Action Peoples Party have merely illuminated the ambition. The response belongs to the people of Imo State.

Troops neutralise 2 kidnappers, recover arms and ammunition in Kogi 

Troops of 12 Composite Brigade, 5 Division Nigerian Army, on Tuesday neutralised two kidnappers and recovered arms and ammunition during a follow-up exploitation operation in Edimogo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In a release signed by the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 12 Composite Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi said the operation, conducted on 3 November 2026, followed the successful raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the same forest on 2 November 2026,
during which troops made contact with the criminal elements.
 Building on the gains of the initial operation, troops subsequently sustained the exploitation of the forest to track down fleeing suspects, clear remaining hideouts and deny the criminals freedom of action.
The release further disclosed that during the follow-up operation, troops again made contact with the fleeing criminal elements and engaged them, forcing the suspects to withdraw. The encounter resulted in the neutralization of two kidnappers, while others fled into the surrounding forest.
“A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 438 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition, 4,725 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two bandoliers, two mobile phones and one power bank.”
The release further stressed that the successful exploitation operation further consolidates the gains recorded during the previous day’s raid and underscores the Brigade’s determination to sustain pressure on criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.
The Nigerian Army reassures the general public, particularly the good people of Kogi State, of its unwavering commitment to sustaining operations against criminal elements, protecting lives and property and restoring lasting peace and security across the state.
Authority.

TCN receives equipment spares for Benin 330/132KV, seeks Bauchi’s support for substations in Alkaleri, Toro

 

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Benin Sub-Region, has taken delivery of a truckload of equipment spares and maintenance materials from the TCN Project Monitoring Unit (PMU), Abuja, on Monday, November 2, 2026 even as the Company seeks Bauchi Govt’s support for new substations in Alkaleri, Toro.

 

The Benin consignment comprises 330kV and 132kV tripping coils, rapid pressure relays, current transformer (CT) ratio clamps, gantry structures and porcelain insulators. The items have been offloaded and secured in the sub-region’s store, ready for deployment as required.

 

A statement from the TCN Management on Wednesday said the delivery will strengthen the sub-region’s capacity to carry out routine and emergency maintenance promptly, thereby reducing downtime  snd invstiably improving the reliability of the transmission network and supporting a more efficient delivery of bulk power to load centers of distribution companies serviced by the region.

In another development, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Bauchi Region, has appealed to the Bauchi State Government to expedite land allocation for two proposed transmission substations in Alkaleri and Toro Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. The projects are expected to expand transmission capacity and improve bulk power supply across the state.

 

The Ag. General Manager (Transmission), Bauchi Region, Engr. Muhammed Bello Ahmed, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the State Ministry of Land and Survey on Monday, November 2, 2026,

He specifically emphasised the need for timely allocation to facilitate project implementation.

 

Ahmed commended the state government for engaging host communities on the proposed projects and protecting critical transmission infrastructure through the enforcement of Right-of-Way (RoW) regulations, particularly the removal of illegal structures beneath high-voltage transmission lines.

 

In his response, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Shuaibu Alhaji Mohammed, assured TCN of the state government’s support for the substation projects.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to facilitating the land allocation process and pledged to strengthen security around critical transmission facilities. Authority.

Obidient Movement moving beyond social media activism  – National Coordinator

 

The new National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Moses Paul, has charged the Nigerian youths to see the January 16, 2026, Presidential election as a huge opportunity to take control of their future by moving beyond social media activism. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Dr Paul said the Obidient Movement will harness all its goodwill and mobilise Nigerians to take control of their future through Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

 

Describing his appointment as a call to service rather than an individual honour, Dr Paul said his priority would be to strengthen the movement, build inclusive grassroots structures, and mobilise Nigerians, particularly young people, towards reclaiming their future.

 

He called on Nigerian youths to channel their frustration over poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and poor governance into organised, peaceful, and purposeful democratic action.

 

Dr Paul identified five priorities for his leadership: organisation, unity, listening, communication, and mobilisation. He pledged to build functional structures across states, local governments, wards, communities, and polling units while ensuring that women, youths, professionals, and ordinary Nigerians have a meaningful voice in the movement.

 

On the 2027 general election, he expressed concern over reported irregularities in INEC’s preliminary voter register, including allegations of AI-generated photographs and discrepancies in voter figures. He called on INEC to provide explanations and subject disputed records to independent forensic scrutiny, stressing that allegations must be investigated transparently rather than treated as facts.

 

He also urged the movement to begin preparations for effective voter education, election monitoring, documentation, and the lawful defence of votes.

 

Dr Paul acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Dr Yunusa Tanko, emphasising that his appointment was not about replacing individuals but strengthening the system.

 

He urged Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and geographical boundaries to unite in building a disciplined, inclusive, and accountable movement capable of advancing democratic change.

 

“The future will not be given to us; we must organise, unite, and build it. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must not surrender the future of our children to political interests,” he declared.

 

He reaffirmed his commitment to leadership through service, transparency, unity, and measurable results.

Understanding Archbishop Ibezim’s Church of England Faux Pas

By Isidor Uzoatu

To make matters worse, he even went to court and threatened to rejoin the Church of England rather than kowtow to the Primate’s order, a move which, however, has since turned the problem upside down with its connection with a schism of all offences. Of course, people are now linking it with King Henry VIII’s break with Pope Clement VII of Rome in the 16th century.

Anyway, since the matter is already in court, this may be all we may be allowed to vouchsafe on it without being accused of prejudice. All the more so because apart from the Bishop’s case, the Chancellor of the Diocese has also instituted another one against the substantive Bishop appointed by Primate Ndukuba to oversee the diocese in the interim, Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Chukwudi Ezeofor of the Aguata Diocese of the church, who had sacked him. According to the report, the learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria is asking to be reinstituted and paid N5 billion Naira in preparation.

In fact, tension on the situation has so built up that the Spokesperson of the State Police Command had to issue a statement defending the presence of their men at Archbishop Ibezim’s Sunday service. This had been subsequently followed by the State Police Commissioner organizing a meeting between Archbishop Ibezim and Bishop Ezeofor to sue for peace.

But suffice it to note that the moves have been mostly met with an overdose of cynicism by all and sundry. Even denizens who would never have dared to say a word about the Archbishop now all have opinions about him and his shenanigans in office. In fact, it’s now a topic of discussion in all manner of locations ranging from motor parks to beer parlours with many thinking he has skeletons in his clerical cupboard. The rampant discussions have featured many digressions. Like many reasoned, the obviously embattled Archbishop had held his Sunday service with security presence for a reason. This has not been helped by the fact that some of the security men from the State’s vigilante service were there courtesy of his younger brother who is the substantive Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim. A position he, no doubt, attained because of his brother’s Bishopric. As many have argued, it was indeed a step by the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to balance the State’s perilous religious equation at the polls.

Also, the grapevine has it that all the clergymen supposedly under Archbishop Ibezim’s future move had refused rejoining the Church of England at a meeting summoned by Bishop Ezeofor before his counter Sunday service undertaken to counter the embattled suspended Archbishop’s own, a move that has made many observers now see him as having hit a cul de sac.

One loner from the host community of the St Faith’s Cathedral has even threatened that they may have no alternative than taking back their land if the troubles persist. According to him, the Church of England never paid a dime for it from inception when it was indeed given to the Church Missionary Society (CMS) that brought the Church of England to Nigeria for gratis.

It’s noteworthy that it had been a smooth sail for the Church of England in Nigeria till in what has been described as ‘one of the most significant structural and theological shifts in modern Christian history.’ Following disagreements over human sexuality, the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a group of conservative Anglican conferences of which the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) belongs, thought it wise to distance themselves from the Church of England’s Lambeth/Canterbury authority. It followed the latter’s accession to the ordination of female Bishops and their turning blind eyes to same sex marriages.

So it’s rather appalling that Archbishop Ibezim, like a drowning man, sees that as the only grass to cling on. Like is well known, the Church of England was founded on such disagreement. Like have passed, the then reigning king of England Henry VIII wanted his 24-year-old marriage to Catharine of Aragon referred by King Henry as his ‘Great Matter ‘ annulled.

This was on account of her inability to produce a male heir after six children. To compound the case, only one, Mary, survived. Of course, by then, Catherine was past child-bearing age and Henry had fallen in love with Anne Boleyn who refused to be his Mistress unless she was made Queen.

Henry’s argument then was that his marriage to Catherine was illegitimate in the eyes of God because she had been married to Henry’s deceased elder brother but the Pope then, Julius II, had granted papal dispensation to permit their marriage in 1509. Henry claimed it violated Leviticus 20:21 that states that ‘If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an impurity… they will be childless.’

But the truth remains that following the sack of Rome in 1527 by King Charles V of France who was Catherine’s compatriot, Pope Clement was a captive. By 1534 King Henry took matters into his own hands by passing the Act of Supremacy, declaring himself Head of the Church of England and asking Archbishop Cranmer of Canterbury to declare the marriage void.

Uzoatu is a multi-talented and versatile writer.