Igbo apex socio-political group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, has expressed its sympathy for fiery Enugu priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka over the aspersion cast on him by the Presidency.
Mbaka had lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari and requested him to resign considering rising insecurity and other problems facing the country.
In its response, the Presidency said the priest was angry because President Buhari failed to oblige to his request for contracts.
Speaking on this in a statement by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze said Fr. Mbaka I”s a victim of use and dump.”
The group blamed Mbake for his involvement in politics, advising him to “go home and sin no more.”
The statement read, “What is happening recently between Fr. Mbaka and the presidency is quite a sad one. We see it as a relationship gone sour. We remember how they both enjoyed a robust relationship, with Fr. Mbaka campaigning vigorously for Buhari both during his first and second tenure.
“But now that the marriage has collapsed, the hell appears to have been let loose, with the presidency trying hard to mess Mbaka up. But we have one question for Garba Shehu: ‘is Fr. Mbaka the only priest that visits Aso Rock? What of Adeboye? What of Kumuyi and many others? This is a clear case of use and dump.”
The group, however, said that what Mbaka “should do now is to deflate all these politicians who are running the country aground; after that he should cease from meddling into politics going forward.”
Ohanaeze added, “He should concentrate on his healing ministry and leave politics for politicians.
“Mbaka might have made some mistakes and overstepped his boundaries joining politicians, but definitely he exhibited courage to speak truth to power, he must have realized his mistakes. But why should the Presidency cast aspersions on him for saying the truth?
“Mbaka has been forgiven for coming back to his senses. He should go and sin no more.
“Mbaka henceforth, should speak truth to power and stand by the suffering people of the southeast.”