Ohaneze Defends Mbaka’s Statement On Peter Obi, Atiku

Ohanaeze Youth Council has expressed their support for the Catholic priest, Rev Father Ejike Mbaka’s controversial statement on the candidates contesting in the 2019 general election, which have been graced by condemnation.

Father Mbaka has prophesied misfortune for both candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC) President Muhammadu Buhari and his opponent, People Democratic Party‘s Atiku Abubakar at the 2019 polls.

Father Mbaka lambasted the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, Mr. Peter Obi for failing to donate to his church despite the support he has enjoyed from him and his ministry, while he was governor of Anambra state.

Father Mbaka’s statement drew widespread criticism from members of the public, who accused him of selling his blessings to the highest bidder.

However, Ohanaeze Youth Council, in a statement in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital, on Tuesday stated that the clergy had not said anything wrong.

The statement was signed by Comrade Obinna Achionye, Deputy President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide, Rev Bobby Ezemonye , Chairman of all Youth leaders, Dr Helen Ogbonnaya President, South East Women Professionals, Mr Chidera Uduocha, President, Igbo Students movement and Mazi Okemiri Alex, President, World Igbo Youth Council.

The group, which admonished the vice presidential candidate to change his approach to campaigning in order not to suufer loss as in 2015 when he was the campaign manager for the region, however describing the attack on Obi as unfortunate and avoidable.

The Group said: “Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide with her affiliated groups and Igbo groups insists that Former Governor Peter Obi and PDP Vice Presidential candidate’s embarrassment at Adoration Ministry during the annual Adoration Ministry baarzar at Enugu is unfortunate and avoidable but call on Obi to change strategy in approach to campaign issues so as not to repeat the electoral loss of 2015 Presidential election where he was the PDP campaign director for entire Southern Nigeria in which the South East produced poor results, and also the last Anambra election where PDP came a distant 3rd”.

“The coalition of Igbo groups and OYC agreed that Rev Fr Mbaka’s fearless stand to both Peter Obi and Kano Gov Ganduje to send messages to Atiku And President Buhari is in order, and hail Sen Hope Uzodinma”.

The group noted that it will make its stand on the 2019 election in January after Fr Mbaka’s new year prophesy on the 31st of December and after its negotiations with stakeholders and contestants.

“We call for calm in this festive period and urge the security Agencies especially the military to be friendly with Ndigbo as we have set up machinery to assist the security Agents to curb crime and kidnapping during this period”.