Outspoken Catholic Priest and the Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has told President Bola Tinubu that political defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not guarantee electoral victory for the President if the suffering of the masses continues.
Criticizing President Tinubu in a sermon delivered at the Adoration ground in Enugu on Sunday, Fr. Mbaka pointed out that the widespread hardship and aggressive taxation by his administration could erode public support for the government, warning that his success will depend on God and the will of the people.
“Mr. President, people may not be courageous enough to tell you this, but I am telling you that even if everybody is in APC, that does not guarantee your continuity,” Mbaka said. “What guarantees your continuity is the Lord. And as they say, the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
Fr Mbaka acknowledged that taxation itself is not wrong but argued that the timing and intensity of current tax policies amount to injustice against already burdened citizens.
“There is nothing wrong with people paying taxes, but at a time like this, this kind of tax imposition is like wickedness meted out to the people. It is like a tyrannical imposition,” he said.
Arguing further, he wondered the value citizens were receiving in return for the taxes demanded, pointing out that unemployment, declining purchasing power and inadequate access to basic services were still ravaging society.
“Those who are going to pay taxes, what are they doing? What has the government provided for them? How many of them have been given jobs?” he asked. “The little they earn through hard labour is what they are being asked to pay tax from.
“Things are too hard. Things are unbearable. The poor masses are dying. We cannot boast of quality hospitals or quality education for the poor masses,” Mbaka said. “Eating three meals a day has become a big problem. From where are these people expected to pay taxes?”
“Millions of our youths have no jobs. That is why kidnapping, banditry and other atrocities are increasing. A hungry man is an angry man,” he stated.
The fiery Priest also criticised what he described as leadership disconnected from the pain of the people, urging compassion and empathy at the highest levels of power.
“I pray that our leaders develop human hearts—be compassionate, sympathetic and empathetic. No leader will be there forever. Listen to the cries of the people,” he said.
He therefore called on the President to urgently review current policies, while urging the government to focus on cushioning the effects of economic reforms on the poor.
Fr. Mbaka who made it clear that his message was not politically motivated but driven by concern for ordinary Nigerians across religious and social lines, however, enjoined Nigerians not to lose faith despite the hardship.
“This draconian approach is punishable from heaven. There are many other ways the government can raise money,” Mbaka pointed out.
