The controversy of the scathing criticsm of Enugu-based Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, on President Goodluck Jonathan during the preists’s New Year service at the Adoration Ground Enugu has refused to go away.
The latest in what is developing into a saga is the allegation by Mbaka that President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, were planning to kill him over his criticism of the Federal Government and his opposition to the President’s re-election.
Mbaka, in a new video currently trending on YouTube, made the allegation during a sermon he delivered in his church. The congregation erupted in a howl when Mbaka said, “President Jonathan and his wife are planning to kill me.”
Mbaka’s latest allegation is a follow to a musical diatribe on him rendered in Igbo, titled Mbaka Why? in which his recent political prophecies and statements were highlighted and trashed.
The music which became an instant hit among the Igbos in the South East and those in Lagos and other parts of the country was said to rankled the reverred priest.
The music chronicled the many misspeaks and poorly reasoned statements of Rev Mbaka, who in the past lecelled similar allegations against former Governor Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke and his Imo State counterpart, Mr Ikedi Ohakim.
Mbaka said the plan to assassinate him showed that the President no longer had the fear of God. According to the video, Mbaka said that, “Although I sent a letter about this somewhere but I want to say this to the atmosphere. Let me say to the whole world that President Jonathan and his wife, Patience, are planning to assassinate Father Mbaka. It is a known secret, so whoever they want to use, I don’t know. They may not come themselves. They may use these unemployed people. The same people I am speaking for. I don’t know why people no longer have the fear of God.
“Do they think that killing Father Mbaka will make Jonathan and his wife win the election? Is Mbaka their problem? And a priest asked a question that touched me. He said all this while that Father Mbaka has been supporting Jonathan and his wife, did Buhari and his party make any statement to threatened him?” Mbaka maintained that his criticism of the Jonathan administration was Divinely motivated.
While likening his New Year message against President Jonathan to Moses’ message to the Egyptian King, Pharaoh, the Roman Catholic priest said, “I am just trying to tell any Pharaoh that is threatening to kill any Moses to remember what happened in Exodus chapter 12. After the Passover, the family of Pharaoh cried. They ended in the middle of the Red Sea.” The Catholic priest said despite the threats, he would continue to discharge his duties without fear of anyone. Mbaka also denied that Patience Jonathan gave him any money when she visited his church. He said although President Jonathan dropped money for him through Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, he left the money with Ekweremadu and his wife. He also said that Patience Jonathan’s offering to the church was also rejected. Mbaka launched a scathing criticism of President Jonathan.
Many Catholic faithfuls have been torn between their faith and the political inclinations in reacting to Mbaka,s tantrums against President Jonathan. Many have expressed displeasure with his meddling with the murky waters of politics, which is bringing him and his church negative attention.
Majority of the Igbo people of South East Nigeria are Catholic Christians, just as an overwhelming majority of them are President Jonathan supporters.
