Stop twisting Catholic law on godparenting Soludo’s aide tells Obi’s supporters

Daniel Ezeigwe, the media aide to Anambra State First Lady Dr Nonye Soludo, has advised supporters of presidential candidate Peter Obi to stop misinterpreting Catholic canon law concerning "godfather" or "godparent" issues. Canon law governs the organization, faith, liturgy, and administration of a Christian church. The controversy arose after Anambra State Government disputed Obi's claim that he and his wife are godparents to Soludo's children.

The issue has sparked reactions and debates, with supporters insisting Obi was correct, while Ezeigwe clarified that supporters were misinterpreting the law to fit their narrative. He stated that in the Catholic Church, a baptismal godparent, or sponsor, is a person formally chosen to take responsibility for the person being baptized.

Canon 873 of the Code of Canon Law permits one male or female sponsor, or one male and one female sponsor. The sponsor's role belongs to the individual designated as the sponsor, not the spouse. Ezeigwe emphasized that Peter Obi's supporters are free to interpret relationships socially, but should not present a personal interpretation as the Church's definition of baptismal godparenting.

The relevant question is who was formally designated as the child's baptismal sponsor, not who the sponsor is married to, attended the ceremony, or gave consent. Catholic practice demands precision, and the argument should be equally precise, according to Ezeigwe.