Cardinal Onaiyekan clarifies Governor Hyacinth Alia's suspended priestly status

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, has clarified the status of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia regarding his priestly ministry. Onaiyekan stated that the Catholic Church’s rules were not followed when Alia entered politics, leading to his suspension from priestly functions.

Alia, who was ordained in 1990, was suspended by Bishop William Avenya of the Diocese of Gboko after he proceeded to run for governor on the APC platform despite guidance to the contrary. The suspension remains in effect until Alia ceases his current course of action. While some reports suggest Alia is no longer a priest, Catholic teaching maintains that ordination is permanent, though suspension restricts the exercise of specific priestly duties.