A major controversy has erupted in Nnewi, Anambra State, following the commissioning of a Catholic cathedral reportedly constructed largely through the financial support of the late Ifeanyi Ubah, amid allegations that his family was deliberately excluded from the historic event.
The allegations were raised by Eneh Victor Chigozie, a political associate and close supporter of the late senator, who openly questioned the actions of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi and its bishop, Jonas Benson.
Claims of Marginalisation and Project Takeover
According to Chigozie, Senator Ubah had funded and overseen as much as 85 percent of the cathedral’s construction before Bishop Benson was transferred to the diocese. He alleged that upon assuming office, the bishop halted the senator’s continued involvement in the project despite its advanced level of completion.
Chigozie described the alleged sidelining of the senator as troubling and questioned the rationale behind what he termed an attempt to downplay Ubah’s contributions to a landmark religious project in Nnewi.
Family Allegedly Shut Out of Commissioning
The political ally further described it as “disheartening and condemnable” that members of Senator Ubah’s family were neither invited to the cathedral’s commissioning nor publicly acknowledged during the ceremony.
“Is there anything the late Senator did to the bishop that the public does not know?” Chigozie asked, calling on Bishop Benson to clarify why the family of a major benefactor was excluded and why the project was allegedly stalled before the senator’s death.
Supporters Demand Recognition
Chigozie warned that any attempt to erase Senator Ubah’s legacy would be resisted, insisting that the former lawmaker’s role in the construction of the cathedral must be openly and publicly recognised.
The development has since sparked intense debate within Nnewi and beyond, particularly among supporters of the late senator, many of whom are demanding transparency, clarification, and formal acknowledgment of his contributions.
Church Yet to Respond
As of the time of filing this report, neither Bishop Jonas Benson nor the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has issued an official response to the allegations.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in 2024 and remains a significant political and social figure in the region, with a legacy that continues to generate strong public sentiment.