[size=5pt]For non christians, the laity are all members of the church not part of the clergy.[/size]


Nigeria: 'Why Laity Council Opposes Alleged Planned Sanction On Mbaka'

By Chuks Collins

Awka — THE Laity Council across the nation has expressed worries over the reported gathering storm by the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria to sanction Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka over his recent comments on the state of the nation.

Their worry, according to, Dr Paul Obi stems from the erroneous impression the move would give to the public and the international community about the intolerant posture of Nigerian government on freedom of expression. That this would cast a big shadow of doubt about our democratic development and plurality of opinions.

Asking rhetorically, Obi who was flanked by other members of the Laity Council, including Chief Christopher Inalegwu, wanted to know if we are now in Idi Amin Dada era, where 'freedom of expression is free, but freedom after the expression would not be guaranteed'

The council members, in an interview with journalists in Enugu yesterday recalled that "our dear Anthony Cardinal Okogie had in the past bitterly criticized the administration of former Gen Ibrahim Babangida. No one attacked him then, or even now.

They also noted that Joseph Cardinal Onayekan, during the last election of President Goodluck Jonathan had openly, expressed his support for the President, contrary to the position of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission(JDPC) of the church. Publicly he denied the opinion of the JDPC, to the shame of the international community. No one sanctioned him too.

The President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor's private jet according to them was recently stopped in South Africa with millions of dollars for whatever mission, which resulted in a bitter diplomatic row between the Nigerian government and that of South Africa. Today the matter is resolved, but no one thought of sanctions for him!

Again, Mr Ralph Egbuonu, the Principal partner at Equipment & Technologies, in one of the reactions noted that priests in Central America have been daring to speak out on local corrupt practices, drug cartel activities as well as bad political administration. That if President Jonathan has done a good job within the past six years, he should run on his record, and no jupiter will stop him from winning. That what Nigerians are clamoring for is good governance - that's all.

Today, Fr Mbaka has been accused of outrageous things, including allegation that he was offered money and oil bloc. What for, they asked? But that instead he gives abundantly to the flock and the non-members of his flock, Christians and non-Christians, giving out scholarships to many less privileged Nigerians. He undertakes hospital bills, widows support, foreign treatment, etc. He clearly has no use for earthly gains and acquisitions. They therefore urge clergies of all Christian denominations, citizens and political Christians who were believed to be behind the "crucify Fr Mbaka" chants, to mind their language, speak only what they know and desist from wild allegations and accusations. They noted ironically that Fr Mbaka has never had any contact with Gen Muhammad Buhari. Or has ever received a kobo from any political camp that would induce his prophetic utterance.

Chief Inalegwu opined that sanctioning Fr Mbaka would subtly invite a religious crisis which we may all regret later. According to him, "we are happy with Fr Mbaka. We appreciate his prophetic courage. He noted that all he said were the bitter truth. "We must always be ready to accept the truth no matter how bitter it tastes. Yes, some will say that Fr Mbaka is not Okogie, Onayekan or even Oritsejafor. That they are all heads of the church. That Fr Mbaka is only a Parish Priest. Of course this gives him opportunity of closer encounter with his more than ten million member flock, to know and share in their pains, worries and concerns. He is indeed God's servant.

We join him to maintain that if Jonathan cannot defend the church and the nation from insurgents that are clearly sponsored by persons which Jonathan confirmed that he knows, then he should humbly resign for whoever can guarantee security for the Church and all Nigerians. We equally solicit for a committed war against corruption at all levels and facets of our national life. So, is this why Fr Mbaka should be sanctioned?...
http://allafrica.com/stories/201501150146.html

Bunch of hypocrites

Even in the church
Where was the cardinal when Fr Mbaka received PEJ and prayed for the success of her husband and congratulated them. No one raised an eyebrow, just because he's jag a change of heart, he is been crucified.

GEJ till 2019!!!

Front PAGE

Nice one

Sai Buhari

No amount of sanction by highly compromised bishops will stop the message of God as delivered by father Mbaka to Nigerians. Nigerians have listened and accepted the message of change so come Feb 14, we will make the necessary change to the leadership of Nigeria by voting in GMB. God almighty that used Father Mbaka in delivering the message will definitely protect him from the persecutions of the sanction mongering bishops led by Cardinal Onaiyekan.

Mbaka Ogu! Nwa Ikuku!

Fr mbaka was right in his prophetic new yr message. looking at the nature of our airports which we hv received several promises that second fright ll land in it by October last yr which did not happen. the new building and the cargo Warehouse was very slow. if not that the past aviation minister hurriedly permits E T airways last yr, it would hv been another case by now. look at the so called sea port in Onitsha, noting has been done about it. look at our federal road (Enugu - Onitsha road) it's an insult to the whole east. but I hv looked into the list of our presidential candidates, I have seen dat no one can represent us( southeast/southsouth region) better than Gej. without him we wouldn't hv been using Enugu airport to fly to the world, our importation business will suffer if Hausa or Yoruba is voted in. (though it's suffering a little now due to the controller general in charge of cargo at Lagos airport). if we do not vote him in, our 2nija bridge ll be stooped. his major contender is buhari who believed in violence.(in 2015...baboon will be socked in blood ....) I will vote for gej cuz I know he ll complete every project he has started. so let our Bishops leave mbaka alone. goodluck should take correction where he has done wrong.

A former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has said the government of President Goodluck Jonathan is clueless and that the country was in dire need rescue from what he said is the “imminent brink of irredeemable destruction.” Okogie disclosed this while speaking in Lagos at the 11th edition of the Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/Symposium, where he was the chairman of the occasion. He urged Nigerians to face the reality and elect only persons “who know what to do,” adding that a lot needs to be done to sensitize voters not to vote for leaders based on ethnic or religious affiliations. Okogie also blasted the Jonathan-led government over the rising level of insecurity and economic woes in the country. He said, “There is extra urgency to rescue Nigeria. This is the time when every right thinking Nigerian must pray to hate the present situation strong enough so as to desire the fortitude to act right. “This time does not allow for indifference. All must rise to save Nigeria from the brink of irredeemable destruction. This is the time we must play politics of the best, for the best position, in order to guarantee the best for our nation.

“Let only those with the fear of God and love of their neighbours rule Nigeria; only those who know what to do should sit at the helm of affairs. Enough of mediocrity, enough of failures, enough of nepotism, and enough of ethnicity.” Okogie also described the late Fawehinmi as a courageous, principled, selfless and a detribalised statesman. He said, “It is said that Gani Fawehinmi died a sad man. For a man who was fearless in speaking his mind without caring whose ox is gored, he was jailed many times and detained many more times for no personal crime but for his struggle to ensure justice, fairness and good governance in the country, dying without seeing signs that the new dispensation he struggled for will be achieved is a devastating blow. “Now in death, the knowledge that Nigeria has deteriorated so badly since his passing away must be giving Gani sleeplessness.” He added that if Fawehinmi were to be alive, he would have been worried over the present state of the nation “which is riddled with lies, deception, incompetence, mediocrity, hopelessness, lawlessness and lack of vision.”


Source: http://www.today.ng/news/jonathans-government-is-clueless-nigeria-needs-urgent-change-okogie/

one of the most respected Nigerian cardinals has also spoken out just like Fr Mbaka