Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka stirred the hornet’s nest last week when he used his pulpit at the Adoration Ministry in Enugu to demand for President Muhammadu Buhari’s resignation or else he should be impeached over the pervasive insecurity in Nigeria.
In a video clip that went viral, the Catholic priest was heard saying, “Nigerians why are you crying? We are crying because our leaders have failed us woefully. Let me tell you; if it is in a civilized country, by now, President Buhari would have resigned. Quote me anywhere and let the whole world hear it, by now with what is happening, President Muhammadu Buhari should honorably resign.”
The Presidency quickly hit back at Mbaka, linking his call for Buhari’s resignation or impeachment to Mbaka’s failed demand for security contract for his friends. It is not neat at all for a cleric to involve himself in soliciting for contracts, even though this is a regular happening in Nigeria. Soliciting for contract is however not a crime, and the right thing to do is for the Presidency to direct the proposal to the right quarters and to insist that due process be followed.
It was also indiscreet of Mbaka to have used his pulpit to make the call when, as a friend of the president, he had access to Aso Rock Villa. He could have written a memo, for instance, suggesting measures to take in dealing with the endemic insecurity instead of adopting the sensational approach.
Even though he overdid it with his call for resignation or impeachment, Mbaka’s outburst resonated with many Nigerians who are frustrated by the insecurity situation in the country. The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, so declared the Constitution.
Citizens therefore have a right to express worry with the prevailing situation and to demand for urgent remedy.
In that regard, the Presidency need not have squandered precious time and energy engaging Father Mbaka in a roforofo fight. It was far beneath its dignity, especially since it once celebrated the same man when he was in its good books and was making prophesies that pleased it.
The issue at hand is not Mbaka’s unbecoming soliciting for contracts, his outbursts or his going overboard in his demands.
The issue at hand is insecurity. The Presidency should devote all its time, attention and resources to addressing that.
