An association of religious leaders, the Southern Nigeria
Christian Elders Forum, has declared that the Holy Spirit did not inspire the
“prophetic message” delivered by a catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka,
concerning President Goodluck Jonathan. Rising from a meeting in Enugu, the
Forum said the message was Mbaka’s personal opinion. The Forum includes
christian leaders from the South East, South West, and South South.
The Chairman of the Forum, Bishop David Eberechukwu, who
disclosed the group’s position on the matter, noted that it was not the first
time Mbaka would be making such claims. Faulting the message, Eberechukwu said,
“In 2003, he said that the then governor Chimaroke Nnamani (of Enugu State)
would not get re-elected and that if it happens, he would remove his cassock;
indeed, Chimaroke was re-elected and up till today, he (Mbaka) has not removed
his cassock.
“So, his message is just a personal opinion – it didn’t come
from the impulse of the Holy Spirit” In a communique which was read by
Ebelechukwu, the Forum insisted that Jonathan should be allowed to complete a
second term on behalf of the South South zone.
“We note that the South-West zone has occupied the seat of
the presidency of this country for eight years, from 1999-2007.
“It was on the basis of principle of rotation that the next
President of the Federal Republic came from the North West. “If the cold hands
of death had not taken him (late President Umaru Yar’adua) away from us, that
occupant of the presidency from the North-West would have been elected for a
second term.
“In the light of the above, it is our considered view and
advice of the Southern Nigeria Christian Elders Forum, as Christians and
citizens of this country, that the South South should be given the same
opportunity of a second term – therein lies political equity, accommodation and
stability,” the Forum said.
The Forum also called for stronger ties among the southern
states, urging the governors in the region “to revitalize the Southern Nigeria
Governors Forum for the sake of political co-operation and development.”
The group equally expressed concern at the plight of
christians in the northern part of Nigeria, against a backdrop of the Boko
Haram insurgency and the political tension in the build up to the general
elections. They also condemned provocative utterances by politicians in the
course of the ongoing campaigns.
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