The founder of Enugu Adoration Ministry, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, said Thursday that his celebration of 20th priesthood anniversary was victory over enemies of truth and blackmailers.
The highly outspoken Catholic priest, who rode the storm ahead of the March Presidential election for his prediction that then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan would lose to now President Muhammadu Buhari, has a penchant to stand against authorities when he perceives foul play.
For his direct prediction against Jonathan, the candidate that enjoyed overwhelming support of Mbaka’s Southeast people, he was roundly condemned by many, and vilified by not a few.
The Catholic cleric, while speaking at the Christ the King Parish, Enugu, during his 20th anniversary mass, attended by thousands of worshippers, said despite all the attacks against him, God continued to protect him because he remained on the side of the truth.
He said, “I am not tired after 20 years, 20 years of good health; 20 years of miracles from God; 20 years of hard apostolic work; 20 years in the hand of God.
“There was a time they blackmailed me; they were saying such things like ‘Mbaka why? Mbaka this, Mbaka that’, but I have remained in the hand of God.”
He, however, said he had forgiven his attackers, praying God to “forgive all those who have fought us on the course of this ministry and bless those who have stood behind us.”
Although he did not name names, it is obvious the cleric was referring to his December 31,2014 prediction of former President Hoodluck Jonathan defeat at the polls.
In a special message, entitled, ’20-point agenda,’ Fr. Mbaka said he was praying for President Buhari “that God will protect him so that enemies will not destroy him. I also pray for Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi so that God will not allow occultic men to steal his vision.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed Mbaka for his stoic support for truth agsinst all odds.
Buhari in a statement by a Senior aide on Media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said “Father Mbaka is a great priest who was not afraid to speak truth to power, even at the cost of his own life or being hated by leaders in power.”
He said further that “Mbaka was a remarkable example that religious leaders are the conscience and moral compass of the society.”
The statement further stated that the priest “rose to the occasion to add his voice in support of good governance and identify with ordinary Nigerians in the face of despair and uncertain future.”
It also explained that adding “one’s voice to make one’s country better has nothing to do with politics”, and that as the “conscience of the nation”, religious leaders cannot afford to be aloof or indifferent to the miseries of the people.”
According to the statement, President said “though honest opinions attract hostility from leaders detached from reality”, history would be kind to Father Mbaka for courageously speaking truth to power, even at great risks.
President Buhari, who said he is “overwhelmed by Mbaka’s sincerity and patriotism” prayed to God to grant the Priest more good health, long life and wisdom in the service of humanity, adding that he is a fountain of inspiration to all Nigerians.
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