The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has disowned the inclusion of the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, in the Enugu State All Progressives Congress, APC, Campaign Council, saying he was listed without his knowledge or consent.

The Diocese also demanded the immediate removal of the bishop’s name and those of other Catholic priests allegedly included in the campaign council without their authorisation.

Obodo, who is also the Enugu State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, was reportedly named Director of the Faith-Based Campaign Group in the APC campaign council.

In a disclaimer dated October 30, 2026, and signed by the Diocesan Chancellor and Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie, the Diocese described the inclusion as unauthorised, misleading and a misrepresentation of the bishop’s political disposition.

The statement said the action was a “malicious act of misrepresentation and defamation,” adding that it undermined the bishop’s integrity and ecclesiastical reputation.

“The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has become aware of reports concerning the inclusion of the name of Most Rev. Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State, as Director of the Faith-Based Campaign Group in the Enugu State APC Campaign Council, alongside the names of some Catholic priests.

“We categorically state that the inclusion of the Bishop’s name without his knowledge or consent is wholly unauthorised, misleading and unacceptable,” the statement said.

The Diocese stressed that the Catholic Church did not engage in partisan politics, participate in political campaigns or endorse political parties.

It said the Church remained politically neutral and committed to its spiritual mission and the promotion of peace, justice and the common good.

While acknowledging the right of individual Christians to participate in civic and democratic activities, the Diocese warned against using the name, office or identity of the Church and its ministers for partisan political interests.

“We therefore demand the immediate removal of Bishop Ernest Obodo’s name, as well as the names of all other Catholic priests included without their knowledge and consent, from the said campaign list and any related publications,” it said.

The Diocese further warned that any continued or subsequent unauthorised use of the bishop’s name, title, image or ecclesiastical office for partisan political purposes would attract appropriate legal action.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Catholic Church is not a political campaign organisation and must not be presented as one,” the statement added.

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has charged personnel to uphold neutrality, professionalism and strict adherence to the rules of engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also warned officers against voter intimidation, abuse of citizens and obedience to unlawful orders, stressing that their conduct would be crucial to protecting Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring peaceful, credible elections.

Audi gave the charge at the Corps’ headquarters in Abuja while declaring open a three-day workshop for 216 officers drawn from the 36 state commands, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command and 18 zonal commands.

The workshop was organised to prepare personnel for election security duties, with emphasis on protecting electoral materials, election officials and other critical stakeholders.

The NSCDC boss said the Corps would not tolerate laxity in the discharge of election-related responsibilities, adding that officers must be adequately prepared to manage security challenges before, during and after the polls.

He stressed the importance of vigilance and the ability to de-escalate tense situations without resorting to force, while applying necessary force only when lawful and unavoidable

Audi also urged participants to familiarise themselves with the legal framework governing elections, operational procedures, intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

“We must not wait till Election Day to familiarise ourselves with electoral rules. The rules of engagement help officers to protect the process, citizens and defend the democracy that we are currently enjoying,” he said.

The NSCDC boss further emphasised that national interest must remain paramount in the discharge of their duties, warning personnel against abandoning their duty posts or engaging in conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

A man identified as Okoye has been convicted of producing and distributing counterfeit Goya olive oil in Aba, Abia State.

His conviction followed an enforcement operation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in April 2026, during which officials uncovered a facility allegedly used for the illegal production and distribution of the fake product.

Okoye was arrested during the operation, while samples of the recovered products were taken to the agency’s laboratory for analysis. The findings subsequently formed part of the investigation that led to his prosecution.

The conviction comes months after NAFDAC warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Goya olive oil packaged in plastic bottles and presented to consumers as genuine imported products.