Ogige Market Demolition: Catholic Diocese of Nsukka Denies Partisanship, Defends Bishop’s Remarks

 

The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has firmly stated that it is not a partisan institution and has no interest in partisan politics, following comments attributed to Mr. Reuben Onyishi, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Peter Mbah.

In a statement dated June 12, 2026, and signed by the Director of Communications of the Diocese, Fr. Emmanuel I. Asadu, the Diocese maintained that its primary mission remains the pastoral care of souls and the defense of human dignity.

The Diocese expressed concern over what it described as an attempt to draw the Bishop of Nsukka into a political narrative following remarks made during the burial of catechist John Attah. According to the statement, Attah was among individuals reportedly affected by the aftermath of the demolition of shops at Ogige Market, Nsukka.

The Church emphasized that the Bishop’s message at the funeral was a pastoral expression of concern and responsibility rather than a political campaign. It further stated that transforming a funeral message into a political event was both misleading and uncharitable.

The Diocese reiterated that the Church has a duty to speak against injustice and human suffering regardless of who is responsible, stressing that it would not abandon its responsibility to advocate for those whose means of livelihood have been affected.

The statement also urged political actors and media aides to refrain from what it termed attempts to score political points through intimidation, blackmail, or misrepresentation, insisting that the realities faced by those affected by the demolitions cannot be erased through political rhetoric.

The Diocese concluded by reaffirming its commitment to standing with the people and guiding the conscience of public office holders as part of its pastoral mission.

Below is the full text of the statement:

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF NSUKKA IS NOT PARTISAN

The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka wishes to state clearly that it is not a partisan institution and has no interest in partisan politics. Our mission remains the pastoral care of souls and the defence of human dignity.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Reuben Onyishi, SSA to Gov. Mbah has chosen to drag the name of our Bishop into a political narrative. The Bishop was at the burial of catechist, John Attah, one of those who died after battling stroke in the aftermath of the demolition of his shop and those of the other members of his family at the Ogige Market, Nsukka. (He was just the latest of the many who are said to have died in similar circumstances). The bishop's message was therefore an expression of his pastoral responsibility, not a political campaign. For Mr. Onyishi to twist a funeral message into a campaign event is both uncharitable and misleading.

The duty of a shepherd is to speak against injustice and the suffering of the people, whether the action comes from a friend, an ally, or a stranger. The Church will not abdicate this responsibility. When people's means of livelihood are destroyed without adequate and transparent resettlement, it is only right that the voice of conscience is raised.

We wish to remind Mr. Onyishi and others that the Governor of Enugu State is not known for the politics of intimidation and blackmail. We therefore urge his media aides to refrain from deploying such tactics in an attempt to score cheap political points or curry favour. Nobody can intimidate or suppress the truth. No amount of sugar-coating or political rhetoric can erase the lived reality of those whose shops were demolished.

The Diocese will continue to stand with the people and to guide the conscience of public office holders whose salvation is also part of the pastoral responsibility of the shepherd.

Signed:

Fr. Emmanuel I. Asadu

Director of Communications

Catholic Diocese of Nsukka