Outrage has trailed the recent claims made by popular Catholic priest, Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, also known as Ebube Muonso, regarding the killing of Hon. Azuka. Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, the National Coordinator of the APGA Media Warriors Forum, has called out the cleric for what he described as “reckless and unguarded utterances.”
Fr. Obimma, in a trending video, alleged that the late Hon. Azuka was assassinated due to his affiliation with the Labour Party rather than APGA. He further insinuated that the Anambra State government and APGA members were complicit in the killing and that two arrested suspects bribed their way out of police custody. These allegations have sparked widespread reactions, with many calling for his arrest to substantiate his claims.
In his response, Evangelist Obigwe condemned Fr. Obimma for using his priestly office to delve into politics, stating that his actions have become an embarrassment to the Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese and the Catholic Church at large. He emphasized that being a priest does not grant one the license to make unverified and potentially inflammatory statements.
“Fr. Obimma’s continuous engagement in political mudslinging is disgraceful. If he is so passionate about politics, he should resign from his priestly duties and join active politics rather than hiding behind the pulpit to spread falsehoods,” Obigwe stated.
He further stressed that Governor Charles Soludo’s administration remains committed to justice and transparency, dismissing the allegations as baseless. He pointed out that SASA, an agency of the Anambra State government, played a crucial role in apprehending the suspects involved in the murder of Hon. Azuka before handing them over to the police, which is a federal agency.
“The Nigeria Police is under the firm control of the Federal Government, not Anambra State. If anyone has questions regarding the escape of the suspects, they should direct them to the police, not Governor Soludo. The governor has no hand in this and would never condone injustice,” he added.
Obigwe concluded by reiterating that Fr. Obimma’s comments were misleading and dangerous, calling on the Catholic Church to take necessary disciplinary measures against him to prevent further tarnishing of the Church’s reputation.
The controversy continues to generate debates across Anambra State, with many awaiting further developments on the matter.
