Catholic priest issued warnings by Ohaneze Ndigbo

oge okonkwo

January 8, 2015 11:54 AM

The popular Enugu-based Catholic priest had on New Year's day told his congregation that President Jonathan should step down for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

Spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Ejike Mbaka has been issued a warning from the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to desist from inciting Igbos against President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to reports, the warning was given by the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Okechukwu Isiguzoro in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia, Abia state capital, stating that the organisation felt highly disturbed by Mbaka's recent comments criticizing the president, which makes them wonder why a priest should be dabbling into politics.

The popular Enugu-based Catholic priest had on New Year's day told his congregation that President Jonathan should step down for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the All Progressives Congress at the February 14 Presidential election.

Isiguzoro warned the priest to retract the controversial remarks, adding that Mbaka should make an unconditional apology to the president and steer clear of politics in the future.He said, “A line separates religion from politics. Let Mbaka concentrate on his priestly calling and stop meddling in politics.”The Ohanaeze representative said Mbaka’s utterances were serious embarrassments to Ndigbo. He therefore warned him to stop making himself a willing tool for those who want to pull down the President.Accusing Mbaka of acting a script for the opposition, he argued that the cleric’s remarks were “filled with contradictions and half truths .”Isiguzoro further argued, “By castigating the President, Mbaka has compromised in the oath he took as a priest.” He consequently warned him to “stop his predictions that never come true.”He said, “In 2003, Mbaka predicted that ex-Governor Chimaroke Nnamani would not return as governor in Enugu State, but he ( Nnamani) returned; he also predicted in 2014 that Ikedi Ohakim would return as Imo State governor, but he failed the primaries.”Ohanaeze, advised the priest to settle whatever grievances he had with Jonathan through the appropriate channels and stop criticising the office of the president.

Isiguzoro therefore urged members of the public to disregard Mbaka’s comments, which he said, had since been condemned by the Catholic Church.

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