Fr. Ebube Muonso, a Catholic priest and founder of the Holy Ghost Fraternity Prayer Movement International, has criticised Igbo men who support the “City Boy” political movement.
Muonso spoke during a Palm Sunday homily, where he condemned what he described as blind loyalty driven by personal gain.
Popular figures such as Cubana Chief Priest and Obi Cubana are people of Igbo descent who are at the forefront of the City Boy movement in the South-eastern part of Nigeria.
He accused them of prioritising material interests over the welfare of the people.
“You see people, Igbo boys, claiming to be City Boys. Those people are city fools who cannot see beyond their physical needs,” he said.
The cleric likened such individuals to Esau in the Bible, who traded his birthright for immediate gratification.
He said some people have abandoned long-term interests for short-term benefits.
“Because of a plate of pottage, you have relegated yourselves and now claim to be wise because of wealth,” he said.
Muonso criticised what he described as growing silence among religious and societal leaders in the face of hardship.
He said many Nigerians continue to endure worsening economic conditions without speaking out.
“Fuel prices keep rising and everybody is quiet. Something is wrong somewhere,” he said.
He warned against supporting what he described as a failing system out of selfish interest.
“When people are suffering, you are on the streets praising a system that is not working,” he said.
The priest urged Nigerians, particularly the youth, to prioritise values over material gain.
“It is better to fail doing the right thing than succeed doing the wrong thing,” he said.
Muonso also called for a shift in mindset, urging citizens to think beyond immediate needs and consider the broader future of the country.
He said meaningful change requires sacrifice, courage, and a willingness to confront injustice.
The Anambra clergy added that those who seek to transform society must be prepared to face challenges and risks.
The cleric emphasised the need for moral and spiritual awakening, warning that continued silence could deepen the country’s challenges.
