Congregants at the Cathedral Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Sapele, Delta State, held a massive protest on Sunday. They vehemently resisted the return of Bishop Erifeta as the “Substantive Bishop” of the Diocese.
The protesters disrupted the scheduled Sunday service at the cathedral located along Boyo Road. Most of the demonstrators were women who carried placards with bold inscriptions. They accused the cleric of embezzling church funds and neglecting the development of the Sapele Diocese. Consequently, they chanted solidarity songs and vowed to block his resumption of duty
Bishop Erifeta arrived at the church with an entourage and security personnel. However, the congregation blocked their path and openly rejected his leadership. According to some members, a letter from the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) had recently informed them of the Bishop’s planned return.
Despite this official notice, the members stood their ground. They claimed the Bishop was previously removed following several serious allegations. Therefore, they viewed his return as an attempt to impose leadership on an unwilling Diocese.
Several church leaders spoke out during the protest, including Evangelist Akuroma Otuike and Rev. Gabriel Enudje. They argued that the Diocese suffered severe setbacks during Bishop Erifeta’s previous tenure. In contrast, they noted that the church has experienced a significant revival since his departure.
The leaders highlighted the efforts of the “Rescue Group of Churches,” which took over management after the Bishop’s exit. They reported that under this new leadership, the Diocese has seen unprecedented growth. For example, priests and pastors now receive their salaries and allowances promptly. Furthermore, staff promotions are now based on merit rather than favoritism.
The protesters also pointed to the physical state of the cathedral. Rev. Enudje claimed that during the Bishop’s tenure, the building was in a dilapidated state with damaged roofing. Since he left, the church has seen major improvements, including tarred floors, walkways, and landscaping.
Because of these improvements, the members appealed to the Primate to redeploy Bishop Erifeta to another Diocese. They warned that forcing his return could lead to further tension and violence. Additionally, they urged the Delta State Government to intervene in the matter to ensure lasting peace in Sapele. After the long standoff, Bishop Erifeta and his security team eventually left the cathedral grounds.
