The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has suspended Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka from liturgical activities for a period of one month owing to the controversy generated by his political vision which has exposed him to attack from the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The clergy was suspended with effect from May 3 after being summoned by Bishop of the Enugu Catholic Diocese, Callistus Valentine Onaga.
The Bishop invited Mbaka following his altercation with the Presidency and issued a stern warning that his utterances were denting the image of the largest Christian organisation worldwide, church officials told TheGazette.
Recall that Fr Mbaka had last week asked President Buhari to resign or be impeached over his inability to curb security challenges across the country.
The cleric while speaking at the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, said it was wrong for Buhari to maintain grave silence despite the incessant killings in the country.
He accused the government of being behind several killings across the country and tagging separatists groups as terrorists rather than focus on getting them good jobs.
According to Mbaka, Buhari had failed Nigeria woefully and should resign now while also calling for the President’s impeachment.
Following his suspension, Mbaka returned to his ministry where he subsequently incited his members against the bishop, SaharaReporters said.
Followers of the outspoken priest had yesterday staged a protest at the premises of the Bishop over alleged disappearance of the priest. The Department of State Security, DSS was also alleged to have taken Mbaka into custody.
However, a spokesman for the SSS denied taking Mr Mbaka into custody or coming in any contacts with him when reached by The Gazette, contrary to speculations.
Prior to the latest dispute with Buhari, Fr Mbaka was an ardent supporter of the President. He endorsed his campaign in 2015 and claimed his blessings played a role in its success.
But as Buhari’s administration failed to tackle acute poverty and insecurity, Fr Mbaka said he was compelled to speak up and distance himself from his regime, describing it as evil and satanic and calling on the President himself to vacate office.
Church sources said Mbaka’s latest suspension was being viewed as significant for its undertone, but not the first time the fiery priest would face administrative action.
“We know people will link this to his confrontation with Buhari, but he was once demoted from a parish priest to a deputy under a parish priest,” a church official told TheGazette. “He had also been transferred from bigger parishes to smaller ones for his frequent infractions in the past.”