Ejike Mbaka: Need for caution

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