I never sought contract from Presidency, Mbaka counters

Insists he approached Bughari to boost security in Nigeria
Reacting to presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu’s claim that he fell apart with the Presidency on account of being denied contract, the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has clarified that his recommendation of three contractors to President Muhammadu Buhari to stem the tide of insecurity in Nigeria during his first term was not drivenby pecuniary motive.

The media aide had alleged that the Catholic cleric took three men to his boss for an unsuccessful project.

But responding during a ministration, Mbaka explained: “I took three contractors to the President and the reason was to tackle insecurity during Buhari’s first term.”

He continued: “In Nigeria, if you say the truth, they attack you. I’m not discouraged and I have been waiting for them to challenge everything I said. Challenge the truth, whether there is insecurity or not.

“Somebody talked about giving me contract and I started laughing. I’m not here to defend any allegation.

“Buhari government is not giving me money or contract. It is a laughable and childish accusation. It is a shame to whoever is saying that and to the people he is representing.

“For the three men Shehu talked about, the contract they asked for was for them and not me. These three men had gadgets and facilities to handle insecurity during the first term of Buhari.

“They said they had a platform to end insecurity in a month. I didn’t know these people. They just asked me to help them reach the government and I handed them over to the government.”

The cleric warned government against attacking those “who say the truth and tackle insecurity.”

“Be careful in your choice of words and be wise. If anybody says the truth, the person is a terrorist. I do my charity without their support. I thank (Governor Ifeanyi) Ugwuanyi who has created an enabling environment here for me.”

“Garba Shehu that is talking, the bandits can kill him too. No amount of security can save them if things get worse.

“With the support of the government of Enugu, God has given me the grace to do all my projects. If I can be doing this, the Federal Government should do more,” he added.

Mbaka deplored medical tourism by eminent Nigerians, querying: “How would a whole Nigeria not have a good hospital that our President will be flown out of the country for medical treatment?