The Supreme Court’s judgment sacking Emeka Ihedioha as Imo State Governor on Tuesday shot Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s prophecy credentials sky high in Nigeria’s complex political and religious environment.

The verdict, coming a week after he prophesied that Ihedioha would be replaced by All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Hope Uzodinmma, has left the Doubting Thomas’ scratching his head.

Ihedioha’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in particular, seems to have been hardest hit.

This ouster of Ihedioha is the latest significant misfortune suffered by the party at Mbaka’s foretelling, if not behest, because like the fiery priest said while sealing Ihedioha’s fate during the 2019 New Year eve Passover night at his Adoration Ground, he was only a messenger.

He said: “Many things are going to happen in Nigeria this 2020 that will shock countrymen and countrywomen but all would be to God’s glory.

“In spite of all that would happen this 2020, there is hope. In Imo State, there is hope. Hope, hope, hope … hope in Imo State!

“Imo people have suffered (but) God is raising a new hope that would be an agent of salvation for them.

“He’s coming with a new flag to restore the dignity of that noble land. A new leadership that will break barriers and there would be joy in the land of Imo.

Mbaka added: “Lift your candles as I bless Hope Uzodinma; and I empower him to, spiritually, to take over. How? I do not know.

“Please, if you heard that there would be a new government in Imo and you don’t like the message; if I say, Hope, you can say hopeless, but do not fight me.

“I am saying this in respect to those who may want to come after me because of the message. If you do that, the God of Moses, Elijah and Elisha will deal with you. I am only a messenger of God.”

Who is Mbaka?

Rev. Fr. Ejike Camillus Anthony, Ebenezer Mbaka is a Catholic Priest of Enugu Dioceses. He is the Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish GRA Enugu and the founder and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria (Amen).

He was born the only son of the late Chief Humphrey Ogbuefi and Felicia Mbaka in Amata Ituku in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The young Mbaka was said to be a deeply religious member of the Catholic Church and used to organise Block Rosary prayers where he often assumed the role of Francisco (one of the three children believed to have been visited by the Virgin Mary in Fatima in Portugal in 1917).

He was also deeply involved in the rejuvenation of Charismatic group in St. Anthony’s Parish, Ituku, where he led the prayer warriors’ team.

Predictably, however, his parents were said to have opposed his wish to join the priesthood.

They relented afterwards and after his secondary school education at St. Vincent’s Secondary School Agbogugn in Awgu, he proceeded to Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri and St Joseph’s Ikot Ekpene for his training, and nurturing to priesthood.

On July 29, 1995, Mbaka was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church.

Prophecies

The Ihedioha removal might be the most shocking, but it certainly isn’t the biggest prophecy Mbaka has made.

That title could go to Jonathan’s 2015 election loss to Buhari, the first time an incumbent would lose to the opposition.

In 2015, Mbaka ruffled the feathers of the Dr. Jonathan-led administration when he predicted that it would be defeated by the All Progressives Congress candidate Muhammadu Buhari.

He was very critical of the Jonathan Presidency. When then First Lady, Patience Jonathan visited the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Mbaka reportedly rejected her offertory and gift – an indication that he would not associate with someone that God had not chosen for another term in office.

He put it thus: “There is no one kobo of Jonathan or Mrs Jonathan in my hand. The Holy Spirit rejected all of them. When the saga was going on, I put my hands on the altar, swore an oath that if I ever touched Jonathan’s one kobo, may he win the election and that if I never and I am being accused of it, he will fail the election…”

Jonathan’s loss shot up Mbaka’s credibility among his followers and the APC.

He later visited the Presidential Villa where he had an audience with the President who commended the cleric for his “steadfastness.”

Mbaka’s prophecies are not only in the political realm. Like most prophets in Nigeria, his predictions have also covered sporting events, including football.

When Rangers FC defeated El-Kanemi Warriors 4-0 to claim the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title on home soil after a seemingly endless 32-year wait, it turned out that the cleric had foretold it as well.

Speaking while presenting N2 million and decoders to players and officials of the football club, on behalf of the ministry, Mbaka said that he was happy that God fulfilled his promise to the club after 32 years in the wilderness.

“Before the 2016/2017 season began, we dedicated the players and the league to God, and a prophecy came that the league trophy belongs to Rangers,” he said.

“Today, we are celebrating God’s work in action; we are no more praying to emerge the champion but celebrating the champions.

Prophetic failure?

Like other Nigerian prophets, for instance Prophet T. B. Joshua, Apostle John Suleiman, among others, not all of Mbaka’s prophecies have come to pass.

One that Nigerians won’t forget in a hurry is the prophecy concerning President Buhari’s decision to run for a second time.

On New Year Day in 2018, Fr. Mbaka, who had anointed Buhari as President in 2015, withdrew the anointing. He told President Buhari not to consider seeking a second term in office.

He said: “As I was waiting on the Lord, I’m asked to advise you, don’t come out for second tenure; after this, retire peacefully. Come back to yourself or you will cry by the time you will be sent out of office. Those who are encouraging you to come out and run again want to disgrace you shamefully and publicly.”

Mbaka’s critics often accuse him of being in the ‘prophecy business’ or of being a mere political fortune teller.

Well, in his Buhari second term election prediction failure, they have hope. (The Nation)

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