The All Progressive Congress on Sunday condemned the transfer of the founder of the Adoration Ministries, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, to a new parish by the Enugu Catholic Diocese.
Mbaka was moved from the Christ the King Parish, G.R.A, in Enugu metropolis, which he presided over as parish priest for over 20 years, to Our Lady Parish, in Emene, a suburb of the Coal City.
It was gathered that Mbaka, who was the parish priest-in-charge at the CKC Parish, G.R.A, will serve as an assistant parish priest in the new parish.
In a statement made available to journalists in Enugu, the APC South-East Caucus spokesman, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said “it was wrong to punish the fearless priest for his prophecies which has proved to be from God”.
Okechukwu alleged that the transfer was influenced by outside forces.
The South-East APC spokesman expressed concerns over Mbaka’s safety, adding that his followers may find it difficult to get to Emene for programmes of the Adoration Ministry.
He said, “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.
“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.”
The APC condemns all attacks on Mbaka, Okuchukwu said, noting that the party was in solidarity with the fiery priest.
Okechukwu further noted that Mbaka had been under stringent attack from Buhari’s opponents since he prophesied that Buhari would win the presidential election.
He accused the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of playing a role in Mbaka’s travails.
“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 elections.
“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 – even though Ohanaeze denied the allegation, doubts still persists.
“For we are still at a loss why a senior priest will be degraded to an assistant parish priest.
“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,” the APC chieftain added.
Our correspondent observed that thousands of Mbaka’s followers wept uncontrollably as they escorted him and about 30 lorry-loads of his belongings to the new parish.
PUNCH NG
