Ejike Mbaka: Need for caution By Okosisi Emeka Ngwu

In his New Year prophetic message to the nation, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, threw what could probably be described as a bombshell.

The fiery priest openly canvassed the rejection. The Rev. Fr. requested the president and Commander-in–Chief of the Nigerian Federation to step down for his accumulated failure in governance in the past six years. He also had harsh words for men of God, who hobnob with those in power for selfish reasons. Ever since the message became public knowledge, there have been mixed reactions. Expectedly, apologists of Jonathanism have taken the front burner, lashing the Rev. Fr. to no end. While nobody will quarrel with the individual rights to self expression, convention stipulates decorum on matters, bordering on public and political management.

However, one point that should agitate the minds of critical Nigerians, is whether Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka was speaking the truth or playing to the gallery. Therefore, for any Nigerian to jump into criticising the priest, one would expect such critic to tell the truth of the matter so that at the end of the entire debate, Nigeria and Nigerians would be the greater beneficiaries. It is in view of those that I found the write-up, “why are the clerics raging” in Broken Tongues by Amanze Obi of Daily Sun, Thursday, January 6, 2015 most repugnant. I know it with good authority that Amanze Obi served as commissioner, under one of the worst regimes in Imo State recently.

To be precise, he served the regime of Ikechi Ohakim, which was roundly rejected by the good people of Imo State in the last general elections. One was, therefore, not surprised the way and manner Amanze Obi reacted to the Mbaka prophetic message. Don’t forget that Ohakim’s regime had a hell of time, fighting the catholic Church in Imo State, which eventually led to its trouncing in the election. So, the anger in Amanze Obi could not be far-fetched but in so doing, he should realise that as a columnist, he owes it to the public to be objective and sincere in his analysis. In his write-up, Amanze Obi threw caution to the winds. He became too unprofessional, too personal and down right an attack dog of the Presidency. Hear him: “I am embarrassed that we have Catholic priests of Mbaka’s mould. In the Catholic Church, we do not know our priests to be frivolous and worldly. The laity know and see them, as their spiritual guide.” The question, therefore, is how has Mbaka become frivolous and worldly because he delivered a prophetic message packed and loaded with truth and reality for which most Nigerians are aware and appreciate.

Again, hear Amanze Obi: “Anybody who had any modicum of respect for this priest would have lost it when he lied to his congregation that Ikedi Ohakim as governor of Imo State, flogged a Catholic priest. I was so ashamed that a Catholic priest could be so reckless and unguarded in his utterance.” Much as I would not begrudge Amanze Obi for recalling his difficult experiences in government due to poor management approach, perhaps, it will be reasonable to remind him that the same Ikedi Ohakim he is defending has had cause to visit the CKC Parish of Rev. Fr. Mbaka, after he left office for service and blessings. There are so many issues he raised that are not worthy of mention here but one thing that stands out is that Amanze Obi never raised or reacted to the message sent out by Mbaka, rather he was busy attacking the person of Mbaka. I don’t think he is doing his readers any good by leaving the substance and chasing shadow. Amanze Obi himself was part and parcel of a discredited government that was roundly rejected by the people of Imo State; therefore, his anger is not surprising. Rather than attack the messenger, Amanze Obi will do better to attack the message. I crave the indulgence of our so-called columnists in this country to always look before they leap.

Come to think of it, Rev. Fr. Mbaka did not mince words nor was he apologetic about asking Nigerians to vote for a leader, who can tackle the country’s many challenges. He went ahead to itemise them and these are facts and problems really facing the country. One had expected apologists like Amanze Obi to debunk the issues raised rather than dwelling on areas that are common knowledge to all of us. One wonders how in this digital year of corruption in Nigeria, Catholic priest would only wake up, conduct services as at when due and go to sleep without showing concern for the socio-political situation in the country. It is evidently clear that Rev. Fr. Mbaka is not only a Catholic priest but a benefactor and philanthropist of a first order. This is a priest who occasionally moves into public hospitals to offset bills of sick patients, offer scholarship to indigent students and offer jobs to unemployed graduates in the society. He has by sheer dexterity and God-given determination, touched a lot of lives in the society; that is why he has transformed into an enigma of a sort. He is a man of truth and abhors injustice in all ramifications. And those of us from Enugu State are lucky to have him in our midst because he has become the voice of the voiceless and defender of the defenceless in our state.

The bible is replete with prophets whom God sent to speak to those in positions of authority. It is unfortunate that in Nigeria today, you have so many men of God (so- called), who romance with those in power only to come and tell their followers to continue to pray for them. We no longer need lily-livered men of God. We need the Mbakas of this world to help us speak to men in power. We have no apologies to those who think otherwise.

Okosisi Emeka Ngwu wrote in from Nsukka, Enugu State