RCCG's Adeboye: Tinubu's Insecurity Role Is Directives, Not Combat

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has come to the defence of President Bola Tinubu amidst growing criticism concerning Nigeria's worsening security situation. Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala, an event organized by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23, Pastor Adeboye asserted that the President has fulfilled his duties as commander-in-chief by issuing directives to the military, and should not be expected to physically engage in combat on the frontlines.

Adeboye clarified his position, stating, “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).” He drew a parallel with former U.S. President Donald Trump, explaining, “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.”

The cleric acknowledged the severe escalation of insecurity across Nigeria, noting that incidents of terrorism and kidnapping, once primarily confined to the North, have now spread significantly, reaching southern regions. “Things have gone far, far worse than before the bomb came,” he remarked, referencing a U.S. bombing targeting Islamist terrorists last December. He added, “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.”

Pastor Adeboye further disclosed that he had engaged in discussions about the nation's security challenges with President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who also serves as a pastor within the RCCG. He advised the President to issue a firm ultimatum to military commanders across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, giving them 90 days to eradicate terrorism or resign from their posts. “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,” Adeboye recounted.

He characterized the sponsors of terrorism as influential and affluent individuals, including both politicians and businesspeople, emphasizing that dismantling their networks is crucial for ending the violence. He stated, “You know them. 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.” Additionally, Adeboye appealed to the United States to collaborate with other international partners in supporting Nigeria's efforts to combat terrorism and enhance national security.