Enugu-based Catholic priest Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka on Friday apologised over his utterances against the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Mbaka, who is the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, had described Mr Obi as a “stingy man” on Wednesday, saying the former governor of Anambra will not be elected Nigeria’s president.
The bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese reprimanded Mbaka, saying he breached canon 220 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law with his statement.
However, Mbaka said in a public apology he signed on Friday that he wishes Obi well and that God’s will should be done.
“I am a servant of God and my intention is not to malign His Excellency, Peter Obi’s image, but to pray for him. May God’s will be done in his life. I pray to God whom I serve to give our beloved people good and excellent leaders who will take care of them and lead them to the promised land. Anyone who God wishes to make our leader is my choice,” he said.
“In this vein, I give my blessings to His Excellency Peter Obi and his supporters, I also give my blessings to the other candidates and their supporters whose intention is also to give Nigeria good leaders.
“In any way, the supporters of Mr Peter Obi feel offended by my utterances or however I was misunderstood by them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. As a servant of the Most High God, I pray that it shall be well with my people. I am an ardent supporter of Good Governance, Justice, Equity, Love, and Godliness.
“My intention is not to fight or malign Mr Peter Obi. He is my friend and remained my friend and brother I love him and I wish him success. May God bless him and his good supporters. God’s will be done in his political endeavours (Mk.14:36).”
Mbaka added that the youth, including Obi’s supporters, are the ones he fights for.
