Fr. Nwebe Joy’s Blatant Attacks on Evangelist Ebuka Obi: The Pull-Him-Down Syndrome

July 22, 2025

By Azu Okafor.

In both present and historical contexts, we often hear about sibling rivalry—brother killing brother, prophet attacking prophet, and so on. These scenarios arise from jealousy, envy, and various forms of destructive competition. The Biblical story of Joseph the Dreamer and his siblings serves as an instructive case study. Additionally, we can reference the well-known book by Jeffrey Archer titled Kane and Abel.

This theme even extends to the so-called “Judas syndrome.” However, how can we explain the persistent, vicious, and misleading attacks against a personality one has never met or has no direct relationship with? Any genuine man of God would refrain from descending from his exalted role of preaching the gospel—spreading love, hope, and charity—to criticise and condemn his fellow labourer in God’s vineyard, as Fr. Nwebe Joy does to Evangelist Ebuka Obi.

For proper context, Fr. Nwebe Joy is a clergyman ordained about ten years ago, after which his congregation dispersed. Among the grievances Fr. Nwebe has against Evangelist Ebuka Obi is that the latter’s emphasis on virgin purity has attracted many traditional Igbo Catholics to the Zion Movement.

He also criticises the Evangelist’s open deliverance practices, claiming they undermine the candidates’ dignity. This critique contradicts the Biblical narrative that Christ triumphed over demons, making an open show of them! Evangelist Ebuka Obi operates by inspiration, and his methods promote the deliverance gospel more effectively than secretive practices.

This barrage of criticism comes from a man who, for those in the know, is rumoured to have a history of infidelity, seemingly disregarding the chastity vows of his priesthood. In an apparent attempt to undermine the Evangelist’s credibility among believers in the diaspora—who Fr. Nwebe might perceive as key financial supporters—he asserts that the Evangelist exploits American virtues. How absurd can a supposed man of God be? In another instance, Fr. Nwebe claimed to have visited a member of Ebuka Obi’s Zion ministry and discovered she wasn’t wearing a bra. Meanwhile, he stayed with her overnight! What’s really going on here?

In one publicly available video, Fr. Nwebe, in an attempt to discredit the chastity principles of the Evangelist, performed a disturbing act by pulling off his footwear to connect with the bare soil—an act that resembles the practices of traditionalists and is unbecoming of a genuine man of God.

Many observers wonder why Evangelist Ebuka has not taken decisive action against Fr. Nwebe’s hostility. Why has he not pursued legal action for cyberbullying or reported Fr. Nwebe to the Catholic authorities at the Vatican? Has Fr. Nwebe become a full-time blogger or influencer who is paid to disparage his colleague? Is there a puppet master orchestrating this charade? Only time will tell.

One thing is clear: Fr. Nwebe is trending toward the status of a “prophet killer,” reminiscent of Joseph’s brothers in the Biblical narrative, who, out of envy, declared, “Here comes the dreamer; let us kill him now and see what becomes of his lofty dreams! Shall he also rule over us, his older brothers?”

On this note, I urge the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria and all leaders in the body of Christ to caution Fr. Nwebe Joy against his harmful attacks. His actions are disgraceful and highlight his envy, jealousy, and resentment. Such hostility damages the reputation of the Church and its mission. A kingdom divided against itself will not stand the test of time. Shalom!

Azu Okafor, a concerned Catholic faithful, wrote from Awka, Anambra State.