In a dramatic escalation of public discourse over Anambra State’s security challenges, the state government has entered into a heated public confrontation with prominent Catholic priest Reverend Father Emmanuel Obimma, also known as “Ebube Muonso.”
The controversy erupted after Fr. Obimma’s New Year homily, in which he issued an ultimatum to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo: address the mounting security crisis or resign from office. The Soludo administration instead of responding with facts rather gave a disproportionate response which has sparked a heated debate about the state’s approach to public safety and governmental accountability.
In his homily, Father Obimma, the spiritual director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry Uke, characterized the security situation in Anambra as “horrible” and demanded immediate action from the state government. The priest’s intervention comes amid a troubling surge in violent crimes across the state, particularly during December 2024, with Governor Soludo’s administration appearing unable to contain the situation.
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The final month of 2024 witnessed several high-profile incidents that rattled the state’s residents. Notable cases included the kidnapping of Honourable Justice Azuka, a lawmaker representing Onitsha North 1 State Constituency, on Christmas Eve. Two days later, the community was shocked by the brutal murder of Father Tobias Okonkwo, a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Nnewi, in the Ihiala area. The crime wave continued with the kidnapping of three senior staff members from Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company in Nnewi, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
“As you can see, people are dying every day and he (Governor Soludo) is not doing anything,” Father Obimma declared, pointing to the governor’s statutory role as the state’s chief security officer, with the primary agenda of security of life and property. The priest particularly criticized the allocation of security votes, questioning their effective utilization in addressing the deteriorating situation.
The spiritual leader’s criticism extended beyond immediate security concerns, challenging Soludo’s adherence to his campaign promises, notably his pledge to transform Anambra into “Dubai.” In a pointed remark, Father Obimma stated, “This is not time for using his media warriors to blow his trumpets. Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.”
Rather than merely criticizing, Father Obimma proposed a collaborative approach, urging the convening of a security summit to pool ideas and resources in combating the rising insecurity in Anambra.
The response however from Governor Soludo’s camp was swift and terse but lacking in substance. These responses appeared more focused on attacking Father Obimma’s personality than addressing the substance of his message. Even if the criticism had rattled the Soludo administration, a more measured response based on facts would have been appropriate. Labeling Obimma a hypocrite and pretender has not sat well with the public, particularly Catholics, especially given that Soludo had previously sought the priest’s blessings during his campaign, even describing him as a true man of God. The administration’s quick shift from praise to condemnation because of legitimate criticism portrays it as heavy-handed and resistant to accountability. I mean when did Soludo and his coterie of media handlers discover Obimma hypocrisy? When Soludo knelt down in the course of receiving clerical blessings while he sought to be governor, was Obimma’s hypocrisy either veiled or latent then and only now that Obimma has taken to criticising Soludo did it dawn on him that Obimma was indeed a hypocrite?
Soludo and his media handlers, understanding the power of the pulpit, appear rattled by Father Obimma’s criticism. Given that Anambra is a deeply religious state where clerics like Obimma are highly respected and could go on to influence Soludo’s re-election prospects, the administration’s harsh tone is understandable, since it very much needs to discredit a critic like Obimma, though it has likely diminished their standing among Ndi Anambra.
This is not the first time the pulpit has confronted political authority. Previous instances include Father Mbaka’s criticism of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani in Enugu, the Catholic Church’s opposition to the late Chinwoke Mbadinuju, and Ikedi Ohakim’s confrontation with the Church, which contributed to his electoral defeat in 2011. The outcome of this current confrontation will be closely watched by Ndi Anambra and Nigerians alike.
As this public confrontation unfolds, the fundamental issue of security in Anambra State remains unresolved. The back and forth of such an exchange has highlighted growing frustration among citizens and religious leaders with the current security situation while revealing deep divisions over how these challenges should be addressed. The escalating tension between the religious leader and state government reflects broader concerns about Anambra’s security infrastructure and the administration’s approach to criticism. We are in for some interesting political drama.
