A human rights activist and convener of the Recover Nigeria Project, RNP, Comrade Osita Obi, has again called on Catholic Priest, Rev Fr Emmanuel Obimma, popularly known as Fada Ebube Muonso, to apologize to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
The priest had a spat with the governor at the beginning of the year over the spate of kidnappings in the state.
Obimma, reacting to the kidnap and release of Rev. Fr. Nonso, had described Soludo as a wicked soul, a reprobate, and one who rejoices when calamity befalls the people.
Comrade Obi, who condemned the use of such words against the governor, gave Obimma one week to apologize to Soludo—an ultimatum that earned him a curse from the priest, who pronounced a death sentence on him.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Awka, Obi said: “It’s been over a week since we called on Fada Ebube Muonso to apologize to Soludo for the use of inappropriate words against him, and we are here today again to urge the priest to do what is right.
“He is my son, I’m over 60, and if I married earlier, I should have his mate in my house, so I’m here to call on him as my son to apologize. As for his curse, let me make it known that it does not scare me, neither am I afraid of death.
“The governor of Anambra State is an institution and cannot be addressed with such condescending words as wicked, reprobate, and all that. We are giving the priest another chance to apologize.”
Asked what he would do if the priest failed to apologize, Obi said: “He should continue his criticism within the boundaries of decency. He has the right to criticize, but must do so decently.
“He must apologize, unless he wants to offend the Holy Spirit. I want to apologize to him for saying I would invade his prayer center if he did not withdraw those words. I’m too refined to do that. I only said it in anger, so he too should apologize for the way he addressed Soludo.
“Ebube Muonso is free to express his frustration about security. I have too, but the way he did it was my problem, and that is why we gave him an ultimatum to apologize. I stand by that and think he should apologize. The governor is an institution. I have a concern with how he attacked the governor, and I insist that he apologizes.”
The activist said he has had his fair share of insecurity and has criticized it at various times, but not with vile words. He said that, currently, the governor was doing well and should be given a chance to implement his policies, while insisting that no one was funding his support for Soludo.
“No one is funding me. What I’m doing is what my spirit is telling me to do and how to do it. I commend Governor Soludo for what he is doing. We have gone around and seen what he is doing and decided he is working.
“We call on those who want to challenge Soludo in the governorship election not to do so, as it will be a waste of time. Instead, they should channel these resources to the Anambra Security Trust Fund to secure the state.”
Addressing those who described him as an emergency activist, Obi reeled out his profile in activism, starting from his advocacy for local government elections, improvement in power, and others, insisting that he has paid his dues in the world of activism.
