Fiery Catholic priest and the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Rev.-Father Ejike Mbaka, on Friday met behind closed-door with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Mbaka stirred controversy earlier in the year when he delivered a message that former President Goodluck Jonathan would fail in the presidential election.
He had said that the Holy Spirit told him Jonathan was not favoured to continue as President going by the state of the Nigerian economy and widespread insecurity, which he had failed to contain.
The clergyman who was accompanied by four men met with Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
He later told State House correspondents that he visited the President in order to commit the nation into God’s hand.
He expressed the conviction that after the storm, God would restore sanity to the country.
During the 2015 election campaign period, Father Mbaka was a constant torn in the flesh of immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan. He was one of Jonathan’s biggest critic. His sermons were laced with anything anti-Jonathan. He also accused Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan of planning to assassinate him.
President Muhammadu Buhari described Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Centre as a great priest who is not afraid to speak the truth, even at the cost of his own life or being hated by those in power.
Speaking on the occasion of Mbaka’s 20th year of priesthood, the president applauded the cleric for what he described as his “extraordinary intrepidity and remarkable patriotism.”
“Though honest opinions attract hostility from leaders detached from reality, history would be kind to Father Mbaka for courageously speaking truth to power, even at great risks,” the statement said.
The president hailed Mbaka for rising to the occasion and lending his voice in support of good governance and also identifying with ordinary Nigerians in the face of despair and uncertain future.
He added that the priest was a remarkable example of religious leaders, who have a conscience and are the moral compass of the society.
Buhari, who said he was overwhelmed by Mbaka’s sincerity and patriotism, prayed to God to grant the cleric more good health, long life and wisdom in the service of humanity.
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