The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has weighed in on the war of words between an Enugu Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka and the Nigerian Presidency.
Mbaka had called for the resignation or impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari over the security crisis rocking the country.
The priest who had supported Buhari’s during the 2015 and 2019 general elections, criticised the President over the current state of security in the country, stating that “if it is in a civilized country, by now, President Buhari would have resigned with what is happening.”
Reacting, the presidency on Friday, slammed the priest for the comments, adding that he was only angry because President Buhari failed to award him a contract.
“Here is the point of departure: Father Mbaka asked for a meeting and to the shock of Presidential Aides, he came accompanied by three contractors. The President graciously allowed them in, and to everyone’s surprise, Father Mbaka asked for contracts as compensation for his support,” the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had stated.
Reacting to the war of words, Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, stated that Mbaka was used and dumped by the presidency.
Isiguzoro, who reacted in a statement stated that the presidency is trying to “mess Mbaka up”, for speaking up for the Nigerian masses.
The organisation, however, urged Mbaka to always stand by the truth, adding that he has been forgiven for “coming back to his senses.”
The statement reads, “What is happening recently between Fr. Mbaka and the presidency is quite a sad one. We see it as a relationship gone sour. We remember how they both enjoyed a robust relationship, with Fr. Mbaka campaigning vigorously for Buhari both during his first and second tenure.
“But now that the marriage has collapsed, the hell appears to have been let lose, with the presidency trying hard to mess Mbaka up. But we have one question for Garba Shehu: ‘is Fr. Mbaka the only priest that visits Aso Rock? What of Adeboye? What of Kumuyi and many others? This is a clear case of use and dump.”
He, however, said he believes Fr. Mbaka had learnt his lessons, adding “what he should do now is to deflate all these politicians who are running the country aground; after that he should cease from meddling into politics going forward. He should concentrate on his healing ministry and leave politics for politicians.
“Mbaka might have made some mistakes and over stepped his boundaries joining politicians, but definitely he exhibited courage to speak truth to power, he must have realized his mistakes. But why should Presidency cast aspersions on him for saying the truth?
“Mbaka has been forgiven for coming back to his senses. He should go and sin no more.
“Mbaka henceforth, should speak truth to power and stand by the suffering people of the southeast,” Isiguzoro stated.
