APC Cries Foul Over Mbaka’s Transfer

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has alleged that some external forces were instrumental in the transfer of controversial Catholic priest, Fr Ejike Mbaka, from his base at Christ the King Parish, CKP, GRA, Enugu, to Our Lady Parish Emene, also in Enugu.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the South East zone of the APC, the party expressed its displeasure over the transfer and said these forces influenced Bishop Callistus Onaga’s decision to move the man of God from his former parish to another.

Spokesman of the South-East APC Caucus, Osita Okechukwu, disclosed in the statement that “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 Mbaka’s case suggests. Otherwise, future liberation clergy who speak the truth will be punished to the detriment of the society.”

Mbaka was one of the 1000 priests in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu affected in the routine transfer which took effect from Saturday, January 30, 2016.

The APC further said in its statement that, “Our major concern is the security implications and the fate of his flocks who are mostly the down trodden who may find it difficult to go to Emene for salvation and healing. We frown at anything which will put Fr. Mbaka in harm’s 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 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.”

Mbaka, in his remark while leaving his former parish, alleged that his transfer is a “calculated move to make me suffer by a certain leader of the church.

“I know we are going to suffer within now and few months to come. I am going to suffer and suffer; I know that. I’m going to suffer because I have no place to put my head. I am going to suffer because I have no place to keep the Adoration ministry’s assets. I know I’m going to suffer.”