Ezeigwe Urges Obi's Supporters to Stop Misreading Catholic Law on Godparents

Daniel Ezeigwe, the media aide to Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has told supporters of National Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, to stop twisting Catholic law about godparents.

Canon law is a set of rules and regulations made by church authorities. It governs the operations, faith, and administration of the church.

Since the Anambra State Government challenged Obi’s claim that he and his wife are godparents to Soludo’s children, reactions have poured in from many quarters. Many of Obi’s supporters insist that he is right.

This issue has sparked debates, with different groups and individuals giving various interpretations of who can be a godfather or godmother in the Catholic Church. Some insist that Obi is correct in his claim.

In a press statement on Sunday, Ezeigwe responded by saying that Obi’s supporters were misinterpreting the canon law about godparenting to fit their narrative.

Ezeigwe said that while they can interpret relationships however they want, they should not present their views as the official Catholic Church definition of godparenting.

In the Catholic Church, a baptismal godparent is called a sponsor. This person is formally chosen to take on that role for the person being baptized.

The statement explained, "There seems to be an effort by some to change a simple Catholic practice into something else. To clarify, let us explain it clearly.

In the Catholic Church, a baptismal godparent, also known as a sponsor, is someone formally chosen to take on that responsibility for the person being baptized.

According to Canon 873 of the Code of Canon Law, there can be one sponsor, either male or female, or one male and one female sponsor. The key point is that the responsibility belongs to the person named as the sponsor.

If a woman is chosen as the godmother, her husband does not automatically become the child’s godfather just because they are married. Marriage does not pass the role of sponsor from one spouse to the other.

The church rules make this clear. Canon 877 requires that the names of sponsors be recorded in the baptismal register, alongside the names of the minister and the parents.

So, if a particular woman is the child’s baptismal sponsor, that is her role: the child’s godmother. Her husband’s consent, presence at the ceremony, friendship with the family, or personal relationship with the child does not automatically make him a baptismal godfather.

If two people were officially named as sponsors, that is a different case. Both would have a recognized role. But one cannot simply create a second godparent just because the chosen sponsor is married.

This is not about feelings, politics, or personal loyalty. It is about what the Catholic Church truly teaches and records.

When people argue that if a woman is a godmother, her husband must also be the godfather, they make an assumption that does not align with Catholic canon law. This distinction is important.

Peter Obi’s supporters can interpret relationships as they wish socially, but they should not present their personal views as the Catholic Church’s definition of godparenting.

The main question is simple: Who was officially named as the child’s baptismal sponsor? That is what the Church recognizes. It is not about who the sponsor is married to or who attended the ceremony.

And it is not about what political supporters later decide the relationship should mean. Catholic practice is clear. The argument should be just as clear. Peter Obi’s supporters should use some common sense.