As reported on The Lead yesterday, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican) has a new primate-elect who will replace Archbishop Akinola in March 2010.
The Church of Nigeria has issued this press release:
BEHOLD OKOH ANGLICAN’S NEW PRIMATE
BY REV CANON FOLUSO TAIWO
A new Primate has emerged for the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. He is the 57 year old rtd Lt colonel, Archbishop of Bendel Province and Bishop of Asaba Diocese the Most Rev. Nicholas OROGODO OKOH.
The news of his election broke today after a hitch free voting exercise by the house of Bishops at the Cathedral Church of St. Stephen’s Umuahia Abia State.
Archbishop Okoh came out tops after securing two-thirds majority of the total votes cast. Three other Clerics contested with him.
By today’s Election Archbishop Okoh has become the fourth (4th) Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion. He is taking over from the Most Rev Peter Akinola the incumbent Primate who vacates his office on March 25, 2010.
The atmosphere was suspense filled as the Bishops engaged in the secret ballot election. Immediately after the peaceful election, the Dean of Church of Nigeria the most Rev Maxwell S. C. Anikwenwa (O. F. R.) issued a statement that the most Rev Nicholas Orogodo Okoh has been duly elected Primate in succession to the most Rev Peter. J. Akinola (CON) and has been issued with a Certificate of return.
Archbishop Nicholas Orogodo Okoh attended the famous Immanuel College of Theology Ibadan Oyo State between 1976 and 1979. He was made deacon in 1979 preferred a Canon in 1987, collated Archdeacon in 1991 and was elected Bishop of Asaba in 2001.
On the 22nd of July 2005 the Primate elect was elected Archbishop of Bendel Province at St Matthew’s Cathedral Benin. He was in the Army and fought the civil war. He retired as a Lt Col in 2001 after his election as Bishop of Asaba.
GAFCON issued a media release :
Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen, general secretary of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) welcomed the news “Nicholas Okoh was present at the foundation of GAFCON and has played a leading part in the movement. Archbishop Okoh has made a significant contribution as the Chairman of the Theological Resource group. He is an able and committed Christian leader and we warmly welcome his appointment.”
That Theological Resource group produced The Way, The Truth and the Life.
According to a Nigerian Guardian News report,
Announcing the election of the new Primate after over six hours congress held behind closed doors at the St. Stephens Cathedral Church, Umuahia, the Dean, Church of Nigeria, His Grace, Maxwell Anikwenwa, said that it followed the constitution and cannons [sic] guiding the election of a Primate, stressing that the 146 bishops that participated in the exercise were satisfied with the outcome.
…
“His election came by secret ballot; we don’t tell you anything about number. More than two-thirds of those present did cast their vote.
“I think Nigerians should come and see and learn from us. It was absolutely transparent, the presentation was superb. That was why there was jubilation the moment he emerged”, he said.
…
[Akinola said,] “I have no doubts to his pedigree, perhaps which was why this hall erupted in celebration the moment he emerged. I tell you that it put paid to speculations that somebody somehow is trying to impose a candidate.”