The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN) Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, has tendered a public apology to the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and all his supporters over his condescending comments about the politician.
Recall that while preaching in his church on Wednesday, June 16, Fr Mbaka described Mr. Obi as a stingy man and one not fit to be President.
Following the serious backlash he received from many Nigerians as well as the Enugu Diocese and other clergymen, Fr. Mbaka has now tendered a public apology.
In his apology letter titled: “Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka Blesses His Excellency Peter Obi and His Supporters”, Fr Mbaka said If in any way, the supporters of Mr Peter Obi feel offended by my utterances or however I was misunderstood by them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness.
The apology letter reads;
“My Dear People Of God, I am grateful to God for His unquantifiable and favorable blessings, miracles, love and life for the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria. I assure the people of God and Nigerians that I am praying for good governance and good leadership in this country and that God will give us leaders after His own heart.
As it stands right now, it is obvious that Nigeria is passing through indescribable insecurity challenges, an inestimable unemployment crisis, massive corruption, heinous crimes, and unbearable suffering engendered by bad leadership.
I bear with my fellow country men and women in whatever we are passing through in this trying time. I call on the adorers and the entire people of God to join hands in praying that God will deliver us from the plans of the devil and its wicked agents.
I am a servant of God and my intention is not to malign His Excellency, Peter Obi’s image, but to pray for him. May God’s will be done in his life. I pray to God whom I serve to give our beloved people good and excellent leaders who will take care of them and lead them to the promise land. Anyone who God wishes to make our leader is my choice.
In this vein, I give my blessings to His Excellency Peter Obi and his supporters, I also give my blessings to the other candidates and their supporters whose intention is also to give Nigeria good leaders. In any way, the supporters of Mr Peter Obi feel offended by my utterances or however I was misunderstood by them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. As a servant of the Most High God, I pray that it shall be well with my people. I am an ardent supporter of Good Governance, Justice, Equity, Love, and Godliness.
At this time our people are passing through the valleys of shadows of death (Ps23.4), I pray for peace, love, and anything that will bring blessings and favour to our people and to our suffering teaming youths. I will always stand with you in all your ordeals. God will take care of you and bless you miraculously for me.
My intention is not to fight or malign Mr.Peter Obi. He is my friend and remained my friend and brother I love him and I wish him Success May God bless him and his good supporters. God’s will be done in his political endeavors (Mk.14:36)
The followers of Peter Obi are the same youths I am praying for, sacrificing for, fighting for, speaking for, and working for their integral well-being. What the youths are passing through and their conditions give me sleepless nights. It is for this reason that I yearn for good governance and worthy leaders that will take care of them. We are passing through indescribable, unbearable, and undeserved hardship in this country. I pray for Divine intervention.
I am not in any political party but I support good people and good governance. Any good person that God can give us is my choice candidate. I am a servant of God; For the sake of peace, I ask for forgiveness in any way I am misunderstood. And to Peter Obi himself, I ask God to bless him and manifest his will in his life. When God says Yes, who can say No? And when God says No, who can say Yes? I bless Peter Obi and pray for him. I bless my dear fellow Adores and pray for them. I bless the people of God everywhere and I pray that it shall be well with you all.”
Meanwhile, The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Calistus Onaga, has banned the Catholic faithful in the state from attending Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry.
The Diocese took the decision following the cleric’s recent attack on the presidential candidate of Labor party, Peter Obi. During his mid-week service, Fr Mbaka described Peter Obi as “a stingy man” and said he could not be Nigeria’s president. He also said that he was “cursed.”
Shortly after, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu disassociated itself from Mbaka and his utterances. The Diocese noted that Mbaka’s attack on Obi breached Canon 220 of 1983 Code of the Canon Law that prohibited anyone from illegitimately harming the good name of a person.
In a letter Bishop Onaga personally signed, which was addressed to ‘All the Clery, Religious and Lay Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu’, he banned them from having anything to do with the Adoration Ministry.
According to the Bishop, Mbaka has refused to heed to the Church’s persistent directives to stop with his utterances that are in line with the policies of the church.
The letter reads
“To All the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu
“Dear Msgri, Frs., Bros. and Srs..
Dear People of God,
PASTORAL INJUNCTION ON ATTENDANCE TO CATHOLIC ADORATION MINISTRY CHAPLAINCY ENUGU
In the light of the happenings in the Catholic Adoration Ministry Chaplaincy Enugu; capable of undermining the Catholic faith and teachings; and after several fraternal corrections and admonitions to Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka, the Chaplain of the Ministry; and after having given him pastoral directives and guidelines for the Ministry Chaplaincy, which he persistently violated;
and in fulfilment of my pastoral duties as the Chief Shepherd with the obligation to promote and safeguard the Catholic faith and morals in Enugu Diocese, I hereby prohibit all Catholics (clergy, religious and lay faithful) henceforth from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Catholic Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded.
My decision is based on the fact that some of the teachings and utterances of Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka at the Catholic Adoration Ministry are not consistent with the teachings and faith of the Catholic Church.
I enjoin all the Christian Faithful to keep praying for Fr. Mbaka and the Catholic Diocese of Enugu as I entrust him and the Diocese to the maternal care and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles.”
