The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against criticism over the country’s worsening insecurity.
Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, Adeboye argued that the president had already played his role by issuing directives to security agencies.
According to the cleric, it is unfair to expect the president to personally engage in military operations.
He maintained that once instructions have been passed down to the appropriate authorities, responsibility shifts to those tasked with carrying them out.
In his words:“I need to make this one clear: I don’t support those who are accusing the president of not doing enough. When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and fight.”
Pastor Adeboye also referenced United States President Donald Trump while explaining his position.
According to him, leaders issue directives while security and military institutions execute them.
“When my friend Trump gives instructions to go and bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House. He has done his bit. ‘I hereby command, bomb Iran’, and then he goes to his bedroom and sleeps. The rest is left to the supporters,” he said.
Despite defending the president, Adeboye acknowledged that insecurity remains a major concern and suggested that the situation has expanded beyond northern Nigeria.
“Things have gone far, far worse… so bad that they are asking: ‘Where is your God?’ That is how bad it is. The terrorism, kidnapping, and so on that were in the north are now even at my doorstep.
They have come all the way down to the south. And, of course, the sponsors — they are all known, and they are still moving about freely,” he said.
Pastor Adeboye disclosed that he had privately discussed the security situation with President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
According to him, he advised the president to issue a strict deadline to military leaders.
He said:“I told him to tell all the military boys, all the army, navy and air force: ‘You have 90 days. Wipe out this rubbish or resign.’ And then take care of the supporters, the sponsors.”
The cleric further argued that ending insecurity requires targeting those allegedly financing violent activities.“You know them,” he said.“
Some of them are businessmen. Some of them are politicians. Go after them. Because if you do not deal with those who are supplying these people with arms and ammunition — and most of the time, when they go about, they go about on motorcycles — if we don’t go after the sponsors, the problem will continue.”
He stressed that dealing with those supplying weapons and support would help reduce insecurity in the country.
Pastor Adeboye also called for greater international collaboration, urging countries such as the United States to support Nigeria’s efforts in tackling terrorism and improving security.
