Catholic priest Father Ejike Mbaka has doubled down on his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari, asserting that Pope Francis will applaud him for condemning Mr Buhari’s ineptitude and bad governance.

“There is one thing we call evangelical project, so don’t think you have one thing to report to Rome. If Rome heard that Father Mbaka is challenging evil governance, Rome would clap for me. So, quickly go to Rome,” said Mr Mbaka on Sunday in his latest sermon.

A few days ago, the All Progressives Congress, angered by Mr Mbaka’s public censure of the president, threatened to report the cleric to the Catholic head.

Similarly, Mr Buhari claimed that the Catholic priest was angry because he did not meddle with contract awards for him.

Mr Buhari, through his spokesman Garba Shehu, said Mr Mbaka came to the Presidential Villa with three contractors, but their attempt to convince the president into influencing government projects in their favour failed.

Father Mbaka angry because I didn’t give him govt contracts: Buhari.

Rubbishing the claim, the priest described it as a “childish accusation” and the person who made it “a shame to himself and shame to the people he’s representing.”

Shedding more light on what transpired during his visit to the Villa with the contractors, Mr Mbaka explained, “These are the three men that we brought to handle insecurity for the country. They had the gadgets. They had the facilities; that was was during their first administration. 

“They said they would help them (Mr Buhari’s regime) in conquering insecurity. They had the platform to end insecurity in this country under one month, under Abba Kyari. I just handed them over to the government.” 

Mr Mbaka further claimed he did not know the contractors he recommended to the president.

He disclosed, “I don’t even know these people oh. They just came to Enugu and said, can I help them and reach the government, that the level of insecurity in this country and how Nigeria had been shipping their oil out, refining them and bring it back, that we are losing; that they have all it takes to revive the oil apparatus in the country and get the whole youths employed, and the issue of killing and insecurity will die. These are the three people they (Mr Buhari’s regime) rejected their offer.

“And even the people they are talking about that went there. I didn’t even discuss one per cent of if you get this contract, contract of securing the country, what am I going to gain from it?” 

He warned Mr Buhari’s regime against picking a fight with him, saying, “The last person this administration should fight is the Father Mbaka. If they speak against me, the anger of heaven will be upon them, and how the end will shock everybody.”