By Pascal Oparada
Two prominent Nigerian clerics, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, and Bishop of Winners’ Chapel, David Oyedepo, are not having the best of times.
Catholic Priest, Mbaka, was seen in a video prodding vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, to make public donations to his church.
Obi’s refusal to publicly declare his support seemed to have irked Mbaka, who went on what many described as unnecessary tirade, told Obi that him and presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar’s quest to govern Nigeria would end in shame.
“He is waiting for the December 31 when I will make predictions about Nigeria,”, Mbaka said.
“It means you don’t want to do anything for God. This is just an ordinary plea. God hates stinginess. I am not saying this to please you. I am saying it to save your life otherwise you and Atiku will fail. The way you and Atiku are moving will end in shame,” Mbaka said.
This did not sit well with Nigerians who took to social media to blast the Enugu-based Catholic priest, saying he has monetised prayers and prophecies.
Social media influencer, Bhadmus Hakeem, described Mbaka outrage as shameful, saying whatever made a supposed man of God to make this type of statement was shameful.
But Mbaka said nothing about Kano State governor, Abdulahi Ganduje, who was shown on video allegedly collecting $5 million bribe from a contractor.
Mbaka had Ganduje, a thief caught on video taking bribe, in his church and he was smiling with him but he went on to humiliate Peter Obi for not giving to the Church after Obi had told him to indicate a project he (Mbaka) would want him (Obi) to build for the church. Laughing with a Thief & Hating on a man that feeds the homeless. Thats the Buhari Spirit Manifestin
Others urged the Catholic Church to call Mbaka to order. They said, “This is not the first time he has been involved in controversy.”
He has been severally involved in altercations with governors and former President Goodluck Jonathan. He was alleged to have said that the wife of the former President came to beg him with cash gifts which he rejected.
Bishop Oyedepo, on the other hand, has been blasted for taking a satirical statement literally. The Bishop read a write-up purportedly written by Olatunji Dare, a Nation Newspaper columnist.
Oyedepo said if what Dare wrote is true, President Buhari may not be the president Nigerians think he is.
Referring to the piece, Oyedepo said that the Nigerian government entered an agreement with the family of one Jubril in Sudan to give them a replacement for Buhari and that the resources of the nation is now being shared with Sudan.
Known for satire, Dare in the piece Oyedepo quoted, had taunted those propagating the rumor that Buhari had died.
Dare jocularly said representatives of the Jubril family showed up in Abuja and threatened to spill the beans if the federal government did not meet their demands.
The preacher said that the federal government had refused to issue a statement, debunking what Dare wrote, fueling speculations that it could be true.
Nigerians reacted angrily at the Bishop for not understanding that it was sarcasm.
Head of Digital Communications for President Buhari, Tolu Ogunlesi, said Oyedepo missed the point.
“I know the Bishop has always detested PMB (its a free world, really, the right to dislike anyone is guaranteed constitutionally), but I don’t understand why he keeps going this far to peddle /amplify (from the pulpit) falsehood and disinformation about him,” Ogunlesi said.