The caucus of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the south-east has alleged that the posting of Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka, spiritual director of the Adoration Ministries Enugu (AMEN), was influenced by some persons who were displeased with the support he gave to President Muhammadu Buhari in the build up to the 2015 election.
According to a report by David Oputah published on TheWill, Mbaka, arguably the most popular Catholic priest in the south-east, was transferred from Christ the King Parish in GRA Enugu to Our Lady Parish, in Emene, a remote community in the state.
Reacting to the development, the caucus in a statement, issued on Sunday and signed by Osita Okechukwu, spokesman of the APC South-East caucus, said the new posting would affect a lot of people, particularly “the poor people who were in need of his healing power”.
“Whereas we accept that the transfer of priests is a routine exercise of the great Catholic Church, however we do not wholly accept a situation where the church allows external forces to influence transfer as the Mbaka’s case suggests,” the statement read.
“Otherwise, future liberation clergy who speak truth to power will be hamstrung to the detriment of the society.
“Our major concern is the security implications and the fate of his flocks who are mostly the downtrodden who may find it difficult to go to Emene for salvation and healing.
“We frown at anything which will put Fr. Mbaka in harms way or deny his flocks healing.”
“As a party, we have watched with concern and trepidation the criticism, the attack, assault and unpleasant comments hurled against Fr. Mbaka since he providentially prophesied that President Buhari would win the 2015 election.”
“Even the Church did not spare him – he was called unprintable names, yet his prophecy came true.”
“We are happy that Fr. Mbaka was vindicated. It must be pointed out that accusing fingers were pointed at the direction of some anti-Buhari elements like Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a group that didn’t want to hear the name of Buhari.”
“We repeat that we are in solidarity with Fr. Mbaka and our major concern is the security of Fr. Mbaka and the suffering of his flocks mostly the poor who need his healing powers.”
“We had thought that His Lordship Bishop Calistus Onaga could have retained him at the Adoration Ground, as the Bishop Emeritus Gbuji did because of security of his life and easy access by his flocks.”
Mbaka left Enugu on Saturday accompanied by a huge crowd and was quoted as saying: “I know we are going to suffer between now and a few months to come. I am going to suffer and suffer. I know that.”
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