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Imo Guber: CAN, NYCN, Others slam Fr Mbaka Over Prophecy

Published

4 years ago

January 5, 2020

Editor

Popular Catholic Priest and Director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has come under heavy criticisms for prophesying on the Imo governorship judgement between incumbent governor, Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma that is pending at the Supreme Court.

Several groups and individuals, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, and Bishop of Umuahia, Bishop Luscious Ugorji, while critisizing the Priest noted that Fr. Mbaka has not only delved into fortune telling, but commercial prophecy.

Fr. Mbaka had in his New Year message predicted that the governorship candidate of APC, Senator Uzodinma, would take over from Hon. Ihedioha as Imo governor, making many to believe that he presumed the Supreme Court judgment would be in Uzodinma’s favour.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Imo State, Senior Apostle Godson Ibeji, while dismissing the prophecy of Fr. Mbaka over the outcome of the pending Supreme Court judgment, noted that such prophecy does not hold water, wondering why a matter before the highest court in the land would be tossed around.

The Chairman in a statement said CAN has consistently kicked against such prophecies tailored to suit the whims and caprices of politicians.

“CAN has consistently opposed such politically motivated prophecies and at the same time strove to maintain the dictates that guide and regulate the practice of Christianity.

“We will continue to toe this path until we restore sanity in the practice of priesthood,” he added

Also reacting, Bishop Luscious Ugorji of Umuahia Catholic Diocese and the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, said the Catholic Church which Mbaka belongs to as a priest, is not into fortune telling, thus does not give authority to any priest to make predictions on who wins a court case or not.

His words: “The Catholic Church is not into fortune telling and so does not authorize any priest to make predictions on her behalf on who wins a court case.

“Anyone who speaks on such a matter is expressing his personal opinion”.

The prelate said he does not give attention to such predictions, as they are mere guesswork, saying “in a true democracy only those who win elections have the mandate of the populace to rule.”

Bishop Ugorji therefore advised Imo people not to rely on such guesswork coated in the name of prophecy, but rather pray that their choice as governor with their mandate wins at the Supreme Court.

The NYCN, Imo State chapter, in a statement issued by its President, Isdore Chukwuemeka, in Owerri advised Mbaka not to set the political landscape in the state on fire and leave Governor Ihedioha alone, stressing that the incumbent was massively voted for by the people of Imo.

He also queried where Mbaka was during the eight years of the destruction of the state by the immediate past APC administration headed by Senator Rochas Okorocha.

“We advise Fr. Mbaka to leave Governor Emeka Ihedioha alone. The youths of Imo State are pleased and satisfied with the Rebuild Imo administration.

“Governor Ihedioha barely seven months in office has restored the years the locust had eaten for eight years in the state.

He said Mbaka has always directed his prophesies on Imo political leaders who he does not like with the underlying motive to cause confusion in the state, noting that “we cannot remember when he prophesied on political developments in other states.

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NYCN, therefore, advised the cleric to stop mixing politics with religion, and do not allow politicians to sway his opinions.

News

[BREAKING] ‘Juju’ Scare: Edo Speaker Suspends Shaibu’s Ally, Two Others

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Editor

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, on Monday suspended three lawmakers over an alleged plot to impeach him and other principal officers of the Assembly.

One of the suspended lawmakers, Donald Okogbe, PDP, Akoko-Edo II, is an ally of the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and was the only lawmaker who did not sign the petition that led to Shaibu’s impeachment.

The two others are Addeh Emankhu Isibor, APC, Esan North-East I, and Iyamu Bright, PDP, Orhionnwon II.

Agbebaku also accused the trio of bringing native doctors to the House on May 1 at around 1am to perform a sacrifice.

Agbebaku said the three lawmakers were suspended indefinitely, alleging that external forces were influencing them to cause chaos and remove the house’s leadership.

The suspension of the lawmakers, however, created tension in the House as the affected lawmakers kicked against their suspension.

In a rowdy session, the three suspended lawmakers were seen screaming, “Mr Speaker, you do not have the right to unilaterally suspend any member(s) of the house.

“You must call for votes. Allow members vote on the matter.”

The Speaker, thereafter, adjourned the plenary abruptly.

News

Man, 35, Docked For Allegedly Forging Oyo Govt Hackney Permit

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Editor

The police on Monday docked Mr Samuel Oyetayo, 35, in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly forging the Oyo Government hackney permit and ticket.

Oyetayo, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a count charge bothering on forgery of the Oyo Government hackney permit.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp Toyin Ibrahim, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 1, around Dugbe, Ibadan.

Ibrahim said that the defendant, on the said date and place, forged the Oyo Government hackney permit and ticket without the government’s consent.

He said the offence contravened Section 467 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The magistrate, Mrs Kausarat Ayofe, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until June 24 for hearing.
(NAN)

News

PIND, Niger Delta Ministry Validate Regional Peacebuilding Strategy

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Editor

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) and other stakeholders in the region have validated the Niger Delta Regional Peacebuilding Strategy (NDRPS).

PIND’s Executive Director, Tunji Idowu, disclosed this at a validation workshop held on April 18 in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

He said the document co-designed by PIND and the MNDD, will provide the framework for the implementation of a regional peacebuilding apparatus in the Niger Delta.

Idowu, who was represented by PIND’s Peacebuilding Manager, David Udofia, said: “This apparatus will apply a multistakeholder approach, where all stakeholders focused on peacebuilding and conflict management and resolution in the Niger Delta will join resources to ensure the effective prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts in the region.”

Mr. Idowu noted that the validated NDRPS document had passed through due process and was very participatory.

“To ensure that the resulting strategy addresses conflict management holistically, we solicited inputs from various stakeholders at the community level, civil society organizations, government institutions, unions, and social groups,” he said.

“On January 23, 2024, PIND, the MNDD, representatives from various security agencies, academia, civil society and multinational organizations, traditional institutions, and other relevant stakeholders reviewed the final draft,” he added.

He explained that the development of the NDRPS was based on a presidential directive to the MNDD in 2021 to guarantee an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.

“The NDRPS highlights the importance of establishing an outfit that is not just security-focused but also serves the needs of the people through effective conflict prevention, resolution, and management through multi-stakeholder and inclusive approaches necessary for conflict resolution and management.”

In his remarks, the Minister of the MNDD, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, commended the commitment of all the stakeholders involved in the process.

The Minister who was represented by Gorah Ayuba, Deputy Director of Community Development of MNDD said: “Your inputs are not in vain as the finalized NDRPS framework will be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for approval and necessary action.”

Participants at the validation workshop included representatives of security agencies, states’ Ministries of Planning and Budget, civil society organizations, academia and other stakeholders from across the nine Niger Delta states.

During the technical session, which also included breakout sessions, the stakeholders provided valuable input to update the NDRPS document.

The Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, Emmanuel Peter, emphasized promoting citizenship sensitization for inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence.

Dr. Emmanuel Maman, the Director of Conflict Resolution, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja, while commending PIND and its partners for its peacebuilding efforts, congratulated them on organizing the validation workshop and proposed enhanced inter-agency collaboration as a panacea for conflict mitigation in the region.

On his part, Dr. Iboro Nelson of Silverline Development Initiatives noted that since youth unemployment was a major driver of conflict, a system of economic empowerment as a peacebuilding approach should be included in the document.

At the end of the validation process, PIND officially handed over the NDRPS document to the MNDD, marking a significant milestone in the process.

The launching of the strategic document is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024.