![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-300x200.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is being actively engaged in ongoing efforts to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State, despite not being a registered member of the ruling party.
This was revealed on Thursday by the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, during an interview on TVC’s ‘Beyond The Headlines,’ noting Wike’s critical role in the state’s political landscape and his support for President Bola Tinubu.
“Of course, as you know, Wike is an avowed supporter of President Bola Tinubu, even though he is not a member of the political party,” Basiru said.
“Rivers State is critical to the success of President Tinubu, and definitely, he will be engaged. He’s been engaged in an amicable resolution in the state as expected.”
Basiru emphasized that the ongoing conversations were mostly confidential, stating that “not every measure being taken will be made public through the media.”
He told Nigerians that the Rivers State problem would be resolved amicably, with no winners or losers, and that the specifics of the resolution would be made public in the coming days.
Addressing charges that the APC is primarily an elite party that attracts only governors and political heavyweights, Basiru emphasized the party’s mass appeal.
“The APC is a very serious political party. We are a mass-based organization, and going by the figures from our mass e-registration system, we are confident that APC is a party to beat in all elections. We are loved by the Nigerian people, and they are trooping out to join the APC.
“Our tradition is socio-democratic and pro-people, and we are working to strengthen our party. We are mobilizing, conscientizing, and showing Nigerians why the pan-Nigerian political party, the APC, is the party to be in. The masses of Nigerian people are joining our party in large numbers.”
The statement comes amid a long-running political feud between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara over control of Rivers State politics.
Fubara officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC on December 9, 2025, marking a significant political realignment ahead of the 2027 national elections.
Fubara’s defection came after several important members of the Rivers State House of Assembly switched to the APC, ending his long affiliation with the PDP and establishing him as the ruling party’s central figure in the state.
Following Fubara’s defection, Wike publicly chastised him for allegedly violating earlier agreements and called into question his chances of reelection.
The FCT Minister also claimed that Fubara does not have genuine support within the APC, implying that he is being misled and has minimal chances of winning the 2027 governorship contest in the oil-producing state.
On January 8, 2026, the majority of Rivers State House of Assembly members associated with the APC, including the governor, began impeachment procedures against Fubara.
Observers mainly linked the action to Wike’s political influence in the state. The proceedings, however, are halted due to continuing litigation.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
