Outspoken Catholic priest Ejike Mbaka has apologized for his scathing comments against Labor Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Mbaka, during his weekly ministering service on Wednesday, said Obi will not be Nigeria’s president in 2023 because he is “a stingy man who doesn’t give people money.”
He also said that unless Mr. Obi returned to his Worship Ministry to apologize for refusing to donate to the ministry when asked to do so, his ambition to become Nigeria’s president would be fruitless.
But in a statement on Friday, the cleric, who is the spiritual director of the Ministry of Worship, Enugu, said he did not intend to smear the LP presidential candidate, but “to pray for him.”
“Either way, Mr. Peter Obi’s supporters are offended by my statements or however they misunderstood me, I ask for your understanding and forgiveness.
“Peter Obi is my friend and remains my friend and brother. I love him and wish him success. May God bless him and the good followers of him. May the will of God be done in his political endeavor,” he said.
Mbaka said the former governor’s supporters are young people he has been fighting for, stressing that he longs for good governance and leaders who will improve Nigerian society for young people.
He lamented that Nigeria is going through difficult times, with insecurity, rising unemployment, corruption and bad governance plaguing the country.
“I am a servant of God. I am not in any political party, but I support good people and good government. Any good person that God can give us is my preferred candidate. For the sake of peace, I apologize in any way that I am misunderstood.
“What young people are going through and their conditions give me sleepless nights. That is why I yearn for a good government and worthy leaders who take care of them,” said the cleric.
“And to Peter Obi himself, I ask God to bless him and manifest his will in his life. When God says yes, who can say no? And when he says no, who can say yes? I bless Peter Obi and pray for him.” he added he.
Mbaka’s apology comes hours after many Nigerians criticized him for his comment about Obi.
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu condemned the cleric for his comment about Mr. Obi.
The church said Mr. Mbaka’s comment did not represent the church’s position and violated various provisions of the church’s canon law.