The Continued Clampdown On Easterners Is An Effort In Futility---Rev. Mbaka

 The Continued Clampdown On Easterners Is An Effort In Futility---Rev. Mbaka 

Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, the spiritual leader of Adoration Ministries, Enugu has been more vocal than any other popular clergyman in the South East, especially since the abduction and extraordinary rendition of the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra(IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi kanu from Kenya. Mazi Kanu has been under the DSS detention since over six months now because, the Nigerian government have refused to give him a fare trial. And Mbaka has joined his voice severally to call for his release. And this call, accompanied by regular proclamations and warnings have stirred reactions on the both the social media and from the Department of State Service(DSS).

Recall that Father Mbaka had made bold in the past to warn against the militarization of the South East, the wanton killings and abduction of South East youths and IPOB agitators, stating that it would be counter productive. Today, we can yet see that many are still getting arrested and detained by the DSS, especially in Imo state for no just cause. But it has changed nothing so far, just like the clergyman warned. The agitation for self-determination has continued unquenched.

The ill treatments and hard handedness with which the President Buhari led federal government of Nigeria handle issues concerning the people of the South East will remain fruitless. Infact, it is a clear indication that the agitation by IPOB is justified. 

The spiritual leader of Adoration Ministries, Enugu, On the 31st of December 2021, the eve of the New Year, Father Mbaka knowing that the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi kanu, the leader of IPOB wiĺl be the only thing that will restore calmness in the region, spent a better chunk of his time praying for the embattled leader of IPOB. This very did by the Reverend, led to his DSS' second invitation. And the question is "why would the DSS invite Mbaka for simply praying for someone"?

This again goes on to clearly show that the people of South East are treated as second class citizens in Nigeria. It also shows that for a very long time, the South East have been without leadership or credible representation, until the emergence of IPOB. If our religious and traditional leaders can be molested and mistreated, it speaks much of how little Nigeria leaders esteem Easterners. Some of these abnormalities is what IPOB and Nnamdi kanu is agitating to correct.

The Nigeria DSS does not only harass and arrest clergy men from the Eastern region, they also invade our places of worship, just to intimate everyone into submission. Couple of weeks ago some heavily armed and masked men, who were later revealed to be operatives of Imo state DSS branch invaded and desecrated an Anglican Church in the middle of a church service, shooting sporadically inside the church compound filled with unarmed and terrified worshippers, just in attempt to arrest a man whose both residential and office addresses are well known to anyone who cares to know. This are some of the situations we Easterners have been forced to live with and endure for decades now. These are some the things leading to the widespread agitation in the old Eastern region. And it gets more annoying when you ponder that in this same Nigeria, terrorists are being treated with kids gloves, awarded scholarships, recruited into the military and some Northern clergy men are allowed to interfaces and speak for bandits and terrorists on all matters of their choice.

Thankfully, the harassment and intimidation of Father Mbaka did not stop him from sounding what many called the final warning. He boldly warned that any attempt by the North to retain power come 2023 will lead to the collapse of Nigeria. He went ahead to warn the Buhari government to be very careful with how they handle the case of Mazi Nnamdi kanu because the decision they make will either make or break Nigeria.

Many political analysts and commentators have suggested that the Buhari government should release Mazi Nnamdi kanu unconditionally to restore peace and stability in the old Eastern region, but it is yet to be seen if Buhari is actually interested in peace and stability in the East. His reaction to this case, will be a clear pointer to what he(Buhari) actually feels for the East.

Written Mazi Nnamdi Dieke

Edited by Vivian Ezihie

For Family Writers press1 International.