An association of religious leaders, the Southern Nigeria Christian Elders Forum, has declared that the Holy Spirit did not inspire the “prophetic message” delivered by a catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, concerning President Goodluck Jonathan.
Rising from a meeting in Enugu, the Forum said the message was Mbaka’s personal opinion.
The Forum includes christian leaders from the South East, South West, and South South.
The Chairman of the Forum, Bishop David Eberechukwu, who disclosed the group’s position on the matter, noted that it was not the first time Mbaka would be making such claims.
Faulting the message, Eberechukwu said, “In 2003, he said that the then governor Chimaroke Nnamani (of Enugu State) would not get re-elected and that if it happens, he would remove his cassock; indeed, Chimaroke was re-elected and up till today, he (Mbaka) has not removed his cassock.
“So, his message is just a personal opinion – it didn’t come from the impulse of the Holy Spirit.”
In a communique which was read by Ebelechukwu, the Forum insisted that Jonathan should be allowed to complete a second term on behalf of the South South zone.
“We note that the South-West zone has occupied the seat of the presidency of this country for eight years, from 1999-2007.
“It was on the basis of principle of rotation that the next President of the Federal Republic came from the North West.
“If the cold hands of death had not taken him (late President Umaru Yar’adua) away from us, that occupant of the presidency from the North-West would have been elected for a second term.
“In the light of the above, it is our considered view and advice of the Southern Nigeria Christian Elders Forum, as Christians and citizens of this country, that the South South should be given the same opportunity of a second term – therein lies political equity, accommodation and stability,” the Forum said.
The Forum also called for stronger ties among the southern states, urging the governors in the region “to revitalize the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum for the sake of political co-operation and development.”
The group equally expressed concern at the plight of christians in the northern part of Nigeria, against a backdrop of the Boko Haram insurgency and the political tension in the build up to the general elections.
They also condemned provocative utterances by politicians in the course of the ongoing campaigns.
