Bishop Nworie calls on Sen Anthony Agbo to return home

The catholic bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev Peter Nworie Chukwu, has called on Sen Anthony Oduma to return to the catholic Church, emphasising that he can’t build a house and run away from it.

Bishop Nworie made the call during the burial mass of Noble Sir Martin Ede Ituma KSJI, a notable catholic faithful who was the first to become a Knight and served the church and humanity meritoriously which took place on 28th August 2025 at St Oliver’s Parish, Ndulo Amoffia __the first catholic church in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

“Let me hold the staff the church gave me and say this. Senator Anthony Agbo, come back to your roots. You can’t build a house and leave it. You were instrumental to the growth of St Oliver’s Parish. Come back to the catholic church. I appreciate you, your late Uncle and late Fr Ben, who were instrumental to this Parish,” bishop Nworie said.

Bishop Nworie further reminded the congregation that Sen Anthony Oduma Agbo donated the house that he lives __the bishop’s house at Onwe Road

Highlighting the call made by the Bishop, renowned cleric and a foremost writer, Rev Fr Dr John Okweze Odey joins the call on Senator Anthony Agbo to return to the catholic church where he was born, baptised and nurtured. He recounted the contributions of the former lawmaker to the growth of the Catholic church, and noted that, after he was ordained a priest, Sen Anthony Oduma Agbo used his money and bought a vehicle for him, a gesture he did, according to the cleric, on behalf of Ngboejeogu. Fr. Odey eulogised the lawmaker for his impact, disclosed that, when he heard of his exit from the catholic church, he called on Hon Justice Festus Obande Ogbuinya CON, an industrious son of Ngbo who is a supreme judge over the matter and subsequently interfaced with the lawmaker.

“I wouldn’t know what transpired that made Sen Anthony Oduma Agbo leave the Catholic church for another church. Church is the same thing. Irrespective of religious inclination, anyone who lived a good life will go to heaven. Sen Anthony was instrumental to catholic existence in Ngbo, having lived with his late Uncle, Sir Martin Ituma. He bought a vehicle for me after I was ordained a priest on behalf of Ngbo__ a testament to his unwavering support for Christianity. When I heard the news, I called on his brother, Justice Obande Ogbuinya CON. I met him and we discussed. Since then, I have not reminded him to return like we discussed earlier. My Lord Bishop, I’m supporting your call for him to return to the catholic church. Sen Anthony Oduma Agbo!, return to back..”

Rev Fr Odey said.

In a twist of the event, the people who gathered to pay tribute to the deceased, affirmatively supported the call made by the clerics.

Sen Anthony Oduma Agbo was a former Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, a former two-term commissioner, a former Senator who represented Ebonyi North Zone and currently, the Director, Commercial and Development in the Southeast development commission.

He was the 2015 APGA gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi State.

Sen Anthony Oduma Agbo left the Catholic church, citing numerous reasons in a book he authored. The controversy surrounding his switch from catholic to an unpopular church stirred reactions. Recall that, in October 2013, he donated a duplex to the catholic church and further added 2m in fulfilment of the promise he made to God, according to him in 1994.