Opinion
Before Mbaka Is Crucified
It might not be out of
place to describe this period in Nigeria as a season of prophecy. From East to West, North to South, the story is the same-Prophets, Pastors, men of God, Rev Frs -prophesying about the happenings in 2015.
What many people find difficult to understand is why this spate of prophecy this year and at this time? Could it be because this is the beginning of a new year and God is revealing what would happen in the year? Or going by some people’s opinion, 2015 being an election year, these men of God are seeking relevance, taking advantage of Nigerians’ high level of religiosity? A friend joked that we are yet to hear more prophecies as babalawos, Sheiks, Imams and faithful of other religions are yet to give us their own predictions.
Of all so far released predictions, the most shocking and unexpected was the one from a renowned catholic Priest, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka of Adoration Ministry, Enugu. During the 31st December 2014 new year eve mass, Fr Mbaka was reported as describing the present federal government administration as a bad omen for Nigerians. In a sermon titled, “from goodluck to bad luck”, he was said to have xrayed various sections of the economy which were hitherto good but had been made bad by President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.
“He said, once upon a time, the whole countrymen were crying for a leader who will help us move forward with our economy, have an authentic democracy, enable our power to be steady, give our unemployed youths jobs, who will industrialise Nigerians, who will encourage mass education and agriculturalise Nigeria. Having in view that oil will soon drop, give us security in a maximum level.
By the Grace of God, there emerged a Goodluck, all of us were happy, … Before you know it, the Goodluck met our oil and the oil had a bad luck and poured away, before we knew it, the Goodluck met our naira, our naira had a bad luck…”
He said the reality on ground now as well as a revelation from God did not favour Jonathan’s continuity beyond May 29 this year and called for a change of government.
We have always known Fr Mbaka as a fearless, bold, outspoken Priest but for him to have made such an outburst against the president was somehow worrisome especially given the fact that just about a month ago, he anointed the President’s wife, Mrs Patience Jonathan as the next first lady of the country.
Fr Mbaka as many believe, is a true man of God who has over the years won the followership, support, admiration and respect of thousands of people both within and outside the country. A lot of people have received salvation, healing, deliverance and abundant blessings through his preaching and prayers.
However, I believe he and other men of God should apply caution when speaking on sensitive issues. As Rev Fr Raph Madu, of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria rightly said, “there were better ways for Mbaka to pass his message across considering the explosive nature of this country …if the Holy Spirit is telling you something, you must say it in a manner that will forestall confusion and trouble … you can be saying something that is true but there are some ways of passing across that message in a way that it will be acceptable”.
The same goes to other prophets, religious and traditional leaders, elder statesmen, and politicians. With a tension soaked political atmosphere, they should guard their utterances with wisdom so as not to create more tension.
The unending bashing of what is left of President Jonathan by men of God, notable leaders and people the society looks up to, definitely, is not the solution to our problems.
Undoubtedly President Jonathan hasn’t been the best President in Nigeria’s history with allegations and counter allegations of financial misappropriation downtrodden economy, high unemployment rate, poverty and hunger, corruption, endless insecurity in the North East, but certainly, he hasn’t been the worst either. So instead of castigating him, let us support and encourage him to do better.
Meanwhile, instead of crucifying Fr Mbaka for his audacious preaching, the President should consider the content of his message and predictions by other men of God and take some positive measures to correct the noted anomalies. President Jonathan should see the recent out bursts of many Nigerians as a wake up call to rise up and do the needful in the interest of the poor, voiceless masses. There are no doubts that if some of the issues constantly raised by Nigerians like high rate of corruption, dwindling economy, youth unemployment, poor welfare package for civil servants, and the aged, hunger, poverty, insecurity and others are not urgently and adequately tackled, it may spell doom for the nation.
But we all know that the President alone cannot do it. All hands must be on deck to make Nigeria a country we all will be proud of. Our pastors should stop hob nobbing with politicians as this is begging to dent the image of Christianity in this country.
Similarly, our politicians should give the religious leaders a break. Yes it is good to seek the face of God in whatever venture one is undertaking but rather than running from pillar to post seeking to be anointed or endorsed by the clergy, they should concentrate on strategising on how to get more votes from the electorate by convincing them on how they will discharge their duties so that life will be made better for the citizens.
Unless the politicians do the needful, no amount of anointing will grant them success in the forth coming polls. I so prophesy.
Calista Ezeaku
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Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
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