Is it appropriate for a religious leader to take
sides in political matters? An Enugu-based
Catholic cleric, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka,
has found himself in an epicenter of
controversy following his utterances about and
changed stance towards President Goodluck
Jonathan.
He has already been scolded by representatives
of Nigerian Catholic church who maintained
that there’s no place for politics in the house of
God. Most recently, Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman of
the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC),
claimed that by his actions, Mbaka has
breached Section 95 of the Electoral Act. Mr.
Odinkalu condemned Mbaka-as-a-cleric’s
actions and said a reverend father should not
be put “above the law nor beneath the law.”
Not all Nigerians, however, agree with this
position. Naij.com reader Ekwegbo Stanley
Nnabuike argues that Rev. Mbaka exercised his
constitutional right to freedom of speech and
stresses it is more important to focus on the
problematic issues raised by Mbaka.
Is it appropriate for Nigerian clerics to freely
express their political preferences and comment
on political issues? Pictured: Rev. Fr. Ejike
Mbaka
I refer you, Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman of
the National Human Rights Commission, to
Article IV section 39 (1) of 2011
Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. “Every person shall be entitled to
freedom of expression, including freedom
to hold opinions and to receive and impart
ideas and information without
interference.” Freedom of speech and
democratic principles and values are
promoted in the Nigerian Constitution.
Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka exercised
his fundamental human right enshrined in
our Constitution. You should stop quoting
inconsequential electoral law that cannot
take prominence over fundamental
principles of the land.
Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka opinionated his viewpoint
based on the contending issues that are
threatening the very unity and prosperity of
this nation. I would like to see Mr. President
take his opinion at heart and addressing issues
raised by the man of God. You, Chidi Odinkalu,
have no moral justification to accuse Rev. Fr.
Ejike Mbaka of any wrongdoing under any law.
The Section 95 of the Electoral Act you quoted
in your post on Naij.com is based on your
personal premise and does not reflect the
actual reality. Your inability, Chidi Odinkalu, to
understand the true role of the NHRC – to
sustain democracy – proves just that.
You have
stood too low and exhibited a questionable
character that is at variance with the basic
tenets of a human right activist. You should
stop marketing your ignorance and lack of
credibility.
It would be recalled that in November 2014, Rev.
Mbaka pledged his support for President
Goodluck Jonathan. A few months later, in his
New Year address, Mbaka declared the
President a failure and mocked him by calling
him “bad luck”. This change of disposition, as
well as the controversy of a cleric expressing his
political views, is being frowned upon by many
Nigerians
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