By Nene Daniels
These are interesting end times indeed! How else would you explain the words, “I know how to quench his fire; just wait and see!” These rather reckless words of threat are currently trending as expressed by the Catholic Charismatic leader at the Adoration Chapel in Enugu, Father Mbaka, against his fellow man of God who leads the affairs at Zion Prayer Movement Outreach (ZPMO), headquartered in Okota, Lagos. The recent outbursts are among a string of repeated threats travelling in the same direction over the last few months.
Interestingly, Evangelist Ebuka Obi and Father Mbaka are of the same ethnic origin and share a similar religious pedigree with their roots in the Catholic fold. Both lead semi-autonomous congregations and have achieved some extent of fame and success. The comparison stops at that point. While Fr Mbaka is restricted to Enugu, Evangelist Ebuka Obi has a worldwide outreach and apparently the fastest-growing ministry in Nigeria today.
The followership of Ebuka Obi and the extent of signs and wonders is a clear issue that could breed envy and strife! In 2023, the former governor of Anambra State and a prominent political figure, Peter Obi, paid a courtesy visit to Evangelist Ebuka Obi. Apparently, this did not go down well with Father Mbaka, who was put on a leash by the Catholic organisation stemming from his controversial positioning with politicians.
Incidentally, during the travails of Father Mbaka, when the Catholic institution placed him on a disciplinary course, it was only Evangelist Ebuka Obi who publicly stood by him and made a case for speedy reconciliation and restoration. Today, the acrimony conceived against Evangelist Ebuka Obi by Fr Mbaka has become deeply rooted and spreading like wildfire.
Many Christian faithful are taken aback over the series of reckless vituperations and threats issued by Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka against Evangelist Chukwuebuka Anozie Obi. They view these threats, which have caused significant alarm among the members and supporters of Zion Ministry, to be reckless, unacceptable, inflammatory, and unbecoming of a religious leader who is expected to foster peace and unity rather than sow discord within the Christian community. Furthermore, these faithful emphasised that such behaviour is contrary to the role of a priest, who should serve as a bridge builder within the community and a source of spiritual guidance, not as an antagonist or adversary.
Specifically, opinion leaders believe that since Fr Mbaka is not the handler of Evangelist Ebuka Obi, his role can only be in a private capacity and advisory, rather than trying to control. It is not the business of Evangelist Ebuka Obi that Fr Mbaka considers Peter Obi a personal enemy or otherwise. The escalation of tensions between the two is highly unwarranted.
In some of his direct threats, Father Mbaka referred to himself as a “perfect penalty taker,” specifically targeting Evangelist Ebuka Obi. He also ominously stated that he “knows how to quench his fire,” a language interpreted by opinion leaders as serious and dangerous provocation, excessive and deeply troubling. They advise Fr Mbaka to “tread softly” in his public communications, urging him to reflect on the potential consequences of his words if the unthinkable happens.
The antagonistic stance of Fr Mbaka is not the expected reward to an ally, especially given the significant support he has enjoyed from Evangelist Ebuka Obi during his travails. This unwarranted hostility has raised questions about the motivations behind the threats.
Although many Christians believe we are living in the end times, should brothers rise against brothers? Are they not working for the same kingdom? As Paul plants and Apollos waters, is it not God that still brings the increase?
In light of the gravity with which Father Mbaka’s threats are viewed, opinion leaders are calling on him to desist from further threatening activities to avoid intervention by law enforcement agencies, who view threats to life as a serious matter. This is true because if Evangelist Ebuka Obi comes to any harm, Father Mbaka will be held fully accountable. While fully confident of God’s unassailable protection, supporters of Evangelist Ebuka Obi reaffirm their commitment to playing their human and legal roles in ensuring the peace and safety of the hardworking spiritual director.
At this juncture, I urge all well-meaning Nigerians, the Christian community, and all relevant authorities to take notice of this negative development and ensure that peace prevails. The safety of Evangelist Ebuka Obi and his congregation should be of serious public interest, same as that of every single Nigerian soul.
As the proverbial peacemaker, I urge all stakeholders and the general public to remain calm and prayerful while urging the two gladiators to embrace dialogue and reconciliation in resolving any differences between them!
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Nene Daniels, a concerned Catholic faithful, wrote from Lagos
