Anglican Members Block Bishop Erifeta From Resuming Duties in Delta Diocese

Members of the Anglican Communion in Sapele, Delta State, on Sunday openly opposed the attempt by Bishop Erifeta to resume his role as the Substantive Bishop of the Diocese. The resistance was carried out by congregants of the Cathedral Church of Nigeria, located along Boyo Road, where the cleric was expected to officially return to duty.

The situation escalated when worshippers disrupted the ongoing Sunday service upon learning of the Bishop’s arrival. A large number of the protesters were women, many of whom displayed placards bearing strong messages rejecting his return. Some of the inscriptions read, “No to misuse of church funds,” “We reject Erifeta’s return,” “End the stagnation of Sapele Diocese,” “Erifeta should leave,” and “Primate, repost Erifeta elsewhere,” while protest songs were repeatedly chanted.

Bishop Erifeta arrived at the cathedral with members of his entourage and was accompanied by security operatives. However, the gathering of church members physically blocked his movement, making it clear that they would not accept his reinstatement as their Bishop. The congregants maintained their stance throughout the encounter, insisting that his return was unacceptable.

According to several church members, the development followed an alleged communication issued by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, which reportedly informed the Diocese about plans for Bishop Erifeta to resume duties in Sapele sometime last month. They expressed shock over the directive, noting that it came despite the Bishop’s earlier removal from office over allegations they described as serious.

Speaking separately, Evangelist Akuroma Otuike, a former People’s Warden of All Saints’ Church in Sapele, alongside Rev. Gabriel Enudje and Pastor Freeborn Ejowovwo of Irhodo Anglican Church, Jesse, stated that members across the Diocese were united in opposing what they termed an imposed leadership.

The clerics and lay leaders explained that the Diocese experienced major challenges during Bishop Erifeta’s previous administration. They claimed that progress only returned after his exit, through the intervention of what they referred to as the Rescue Group of Churches, which they credited with restoring stability and growth.

They further stated that the Diocese has recently recorded remarkable improvements, including consistent payment of salaries and allowances to priests, pastors, and other church employees. Promotions, they added, have been conducted promptly and based strictly on merit, unlike in previous years.

Evangelist Otuike encouraged interested individuals to visit the cathedral and other churches under the Rescue Group to personally assess the level of infrastructural progress. He contrasted the current state of the facilities with what he described as years of neglect during Bishop Erifeta’s earlier tenure.

Rev. Enudje also alleged that the cathedral was previously in poor condition, citing damaged roofing and incomplete flooring as examples. He noted that improvements such as paved floors, walkways, and landscaped surroundings were executed only after the Bishop’s departure.

The speakers jointly appealed to the Primate of the Anglican Church to consider redeploying Bishop Erifeta to another Diocese in order to preserve peace and unity. They cautioned that any attempt to enforce his return could heighten tensions within the Diocese.

They also called on the Delta State Government and well-meaning members of the public to step in and help prevent a breakdown of order within the church community.

Eventually, Bishop Erifeta, along with his delegation and security personnel, departed the cathedral without resuming duties.