The Catholic diocese of Nnewi¸ southeast Nigeria, has pushed back a claim from a Knight that a deceased politician who contributed significantly to the building of Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral was not acknowledged during the recently concluded dedication ceremony.
This reaction followed a viral video of a middle-aged man, identified as James-Louis Ebube Anaedo, who expressed outbursts for what he described as the Church’s failure to recognise the late politician, Senator Ifeanyi Uba, who contributed to the project, threatening, “My last day as a Christian.”
Outbursts and allegations of being overlooked
In the disturbing clip, Anaedoa, who belongs to the Knights of St. John International, as evident in his full regalia, argued that Senator Uba’s contributions to the Church and the Nnewi community were overlooked.
The politician’s ally, who removed his shoes in public protest, declared that he wanted the people of Nnewi to bear witness to his grievance, vowing that he would never enter the church again. As the incident drew wide criticism, affirming that the politician was actually acknowledged in Church and in the event’s brochure, the tearful Anaedo released another video, speaking in English and the Igbo language, insisting that the politician was not recognised.
“If it is in a government setting, a minute’s silence will be observed,” he argued, though acknowledging that “I have never seen that done in the church.”
Disclaimer by Knights as investigations are underway
In a swift disclaimer dated 15 January 2026, signed by Sir Joachim Chuks Amamgbo, Supreme Subordinate President, Knights of St. John International, denounced the action, urging calm.
“The individual’s actions are ‘not’ clearly in line with the values and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church nor those of the Knights of St. John International, whose principles uphold filial respect for the Church and her clergy as sacrosanct,” the statement read.
The Knights condemned the behaviour, assuring the Church that its leadership would address this matter in the “most serious manner, and in line with the disciplinary provisions of our Constitution.”
Further expressing shock but committing to taking disciplinary action, the body noted, “We totally confirm this very unusual behaviour and assure the Church that the leadership of the Order in Nigeria is presently addressing the incident.”
The Knights used the occasion to uphold obedience to the Church even as they apologised for the embarrassment the incident had caused the Church.
“We apologise to our spiritual fathers and the church for the obvious embarrassment and do thereby reaffirm our commitment to upholding the ideals of service, spirituality, discipline, charity, honour and respect for which our Order is known,” the statement noted.
Bishop Okoye acknowledges all as his predecessor sheds tears of joy
Meanwhile, during his speech, the Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, acknowledged the tireless efforts of the 79-year-old Most Rev. Hilary Odili Okeke, pioneer Bishop of Nnewi (2001-2021), as well as the politician, saying, “My predecessor started this Cathedral [and] I continued. A good number of the faithful, including the late Senator Uba, also contributed.”
Bishop Okoye, who has led the diocese since 2022, extoled his predecessor’s sterling leadership qualities of dedication and service to God and humanity.
Shedding tears of joy, Emeritus Bishop Okeke went round the cathedral thanking the people of God for their heroic sacrifices, an act which indicates that the project he started has been completed by his successor.
Diocese pushes back, calls for repentance
Meanwhile, the Diocesan Communications Director of Nnewi, Rev. Fr. Martins Onwudiwe, told the press that the late Senator’s contributions were acknowledged after Holy Mass, stressing that “our diocesan bishop, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, recognised the contributions of late Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah in building the cathedral church.”
On Anaedo’s threats that he would abandon the faith, Fr. Onwudiwe clarified that “the Church, as a mother, [goes] after those who go astray,” affirming that “the salvation of souls is the supreme law.”
The priest insisted that “It is our duty to reconcile all men to Christ” because “as a Church, we are more concerned about a straying soul [returning to God].”
Created on 28 November 2001 as a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nnewi diocese, which serves northern Anambra State, has a Catholic population of 680,000 across over 100 parishes.
Conclusion
In his homily, Francis Cardinal Arinze, Nigeria’s respected prelate and Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, explained that as the principal Church in the diocese, the Cathedral is fundamentally defined by its relationship to the Church structure and the bishop.
He maintained that this symbolises the teaching authority of the faith that has been handed down from the apostles.
The occasion also attracted John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, Apostolic Nuncios to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, and the Czech Republic, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, 7 Archbishops, over 60 Bishops, hundreds of priests and religious as well as top government functionaries, politicians, traditional rulers and thousands of lay faithful from all walks of life.
The newly dedicated Cathedral has a seating capacity of 8,000 people, with underground facilities for 140 tombs.
