The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is compelled to write this rejoinder to publications that have been circulated on both print and electronic media, as well as on social media against the person and office of the Most Rev’d Dr Ali Buba Lamido, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Archbishop and Bishop of great repute of our Church.
The points of this rejoinder are:
- We wish to state in clear and unambiguous language that Archbishop Lamido is a Bishop in rightful standing within the Church of Nigeria; therefore, all publications circulated against his person and office is mischievous to say the least.
- Archbishop Ali Buba Lamido is eminently qualified as the Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, the Archbishop of Kaduna Province, and the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). His election as Bishop which took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church, Lokoja on the 10th of June 1997 was presided by one of the finest leaders of our Church, His Grace, the Most Rev’d Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria as at that time. Since his election, consecration and administration, he has proven himself as worthy and credible leader and administrator.
- It is not true that Archbishop Lamido is a Muslim spy. While it is true that he has Islamic background, it is truer that he left Islamic for Christianity 48 years ago. He is the Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, and has been its Bishop since 1997. His Christian testimony of life and administrative skills made the House of Bishops to elect him as the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Kaduna, and eventually the Dean of the Church of Nigeria.
- Bishops of the Church of Nigeria are by their calling and office not partisan in politics. Archbishop Lamido is not a member of any political party, and does not campaign for political party candidates. Also, he did not indicate interest in contesting for the position of Primate, neither was he nominated for such. Therefore, to say he was looking forward to becoming elected as the Primate is a lie.
- The Church of Nigeria is satisfied with the minutes and reports on the sale of land in Wusasa Diocese. It was the decision of the Diocesan Board to dispose of the land. The sale of land was not a personal venture but the decision of the diocese. Again, the money realized from the land sold was not appropriated by the Bishop, but paid into the Diocesan treasury.
- As Archbishop of Kaduna Province and Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Lamido has a leadership role within his province and the Church of Nigeria at large. Therefore, has every right to represent the Church of Nigeria in any diocese and in other places. Besides, the visit to the Governor of Kaduna State was undertaken at the instance of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria.
Having said all this, let it be known to the general public that all publications against the person, office and work of the Most Rev’d Dr Ali Buba Lamido, the Bishop of Wusasa, the Archbishop of Kaduna Province, and the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, are not true and should be disregarded. The Church of Nigeria upholds Archbishop Lamido as a true Christian leader, and a senior Bishop of the Church in rightful standing within the Church of Nigeria in particular and Christendom at large.
The Most Rev’d Nicholas D. Okoh, MA, Fss, Mss, LLD, DD
The Archbishop, Metropolitan & Primate of All Nigeria.
Wednesday February 5, 2020
