On Friday, the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, apologised publicly to the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and his supporters for his disparaging remarks.
Shortly after his comment on Wednesday during his midweek activities, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu State rejected him, stating that Obi will not become Nigeria’s president because he is “stingy.”
While condemning his political statements as divisive and unbecoming of a priest, the church stated that the attack violated canon 220 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which prohibits maliciously damaging a person’s reputation.
In contrast, Mbaka issued an unqualified public apologies to Obi and his followers in a letter he personally signed on Friday.
In a letter headlined ‘Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka Bless His Excellency Peter Obi and His Supporters,’ the controversial Catholic priest pleaded for forgiveness and understanding.
Mbaka prayed in the letter for the former governor of Anambra State and other presidential contenders that God would grant them their hearts’ wishes.
He condemned the growing insecurity in Nigeria, which he attributed to poor leadership, and he urged young Nigerians to hope that God, in his mercy, may provide Nigeria a president who shares his values.
The apology letter read in part, “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 promised 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.
It added, “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 endeavours (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 of 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 Adorers and pray for them. I bless the people of God everywhere and I pray that it shall be well with you all.”
See full letter below:
