The storm currently swirling around the Archbishop of the province of the Niger and the Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Grace,The Most Rev’d Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim,PhD, is a painful reminder of how quickly we forget who our leaders are and what they represent. Allegations of embezzlement have been thrown about, and whispers of EFCC investigations dominate the headlines. Yet, behind the noise, one fact remains: the Archbishop is not just a man—he is the spiritual father of the Anglican Communion, a symbol of faith for millions of believers. To drag his name in the mud so carelessly is to weaken the very church we claim to protect.
It is deeply regrettable that internal disagreements have been weaponized by some within the communion—rumours point to certain knights fanning the flames. Whether these whispers are true or not, what is undeniable is that an issue that should have been handled with wisdom and confidentiality has been dumped at the feet of the public, exposing the church to ridicule.
The Anglican Communion has become a subject of mockery, and we have no one to blame but ourselves. One cannot help but observe that the Roman Catholic Church would never allow their spiritual head to be disgraced in such a manner. Why should Anglicans be the ones so quick to betray their own?
Let us speak plainly: the Archbishop, like every leader, is not perfect. But who among us is a saint? Romans 3:23 reminds us: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Are his human flaws enough reason to unleash a campaign of blackmail so vicious it overshadows his calling and his service? Those who are determined to destroy him should pause to reflect: in tarnishing the Archbishop, you are tearing down the very house of God.
The Scripture warns us in 1 Chronicles 16:22: “Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” The Archbishop is not just an office-holder; he is the anointed leader of the communion. To drag him before the world in scandal is to directly disobey God’s word, placing ambition and rivalry above divine instruction.
The Anglican Church cannot afford this public disgrace. The Archbishop embodies unity, guidance, and spiritual authority. When he is ridiculed, the communion itself is ridiculed. When he is weakened, the church is weakened. At this critical moment, what is needed is solidarity, not sabotage; prayer, not persecution; wisdom, not witch-hunts.
This is the time for the faithful to rally around their spiritual father. To stand with him is to stand with the church, to defend its dignity, and to refuse to allow petty rivalries or ambition to rip apart the communion. As Hebrews 13:17 instructs: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls.”
The Archbishop deserves our support—not because he is flawless, but because he is our leader. To abandon him now would be to abandon the communion itself.
Let Anglicans come to their senses: defend the Archbishop, defend the faith, defend the church.
Montage Africa media Group.