RCCG Overseer Clarifies Adeboye's Remarks on Tinubu, Insecurity

Pastor Johnson Odesola, the Continental Overseer for Continent 3 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has come forward to defend and clarify recent statements made by the church's General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Odesola asserted that Adeboye's comments were misinterpreted and unfairly portrayed as an endorsement of President Bola Tinubu regarding the nation's insecurity challenges.

In a statement titled, “Pastor Adeboye Deserves Fair Hearing, Not Unfair Criticism,” Odesola explained that many critics formed their opinions based on short social media clips rather than listening to the entirety of the cleric's speech, which was delivered at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C.

According to Odesola, Pastor Adeboye never denied the worsening state of insecurity across the country. Instead, the General Overseer acknowledged that issues like terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping have now spread from the North into various parts of the South.

Odesola further clarified that Adeboye's remark, advising Nigerians not to expect the President to “wear khaki and go and fight,” was merely an explanation of the constitutional role of a Commander-in-Chief. He stressed that this statement was not an attempt to excuse any government shortcomings. “He (Adeboye) did not defend failure. He simply reminded Nigerians that political leaders provide direction while military professionals execute operations,” Odesola stated. He added, “Far from defending incompetence, Pastor Adeboye challenged those responsible for national security to produce results.”

Odesola highlighted that a significant aspect of Adeboye's intervention was his emphasis on confronting those who sponsor terrorism. “This is perhaps the strongest part of his intervention. Terrorists do not operate in isolation. They require money, weapons, logistics, intelligence and political protection. Every insurgent group survives because powerful individuals somewhere are financing its operations,” Odesola explained.

Addressing those who questioned why Adeboye should comment on national security, Odesola pointed out that religious leaders have historically offered moral guidance and counsel during national crises. He cited several biblical figures who advised rulers and confronted injustice. He maintained that Pastor Adeboye has consistently offered prayers for the country and provided counsel to successive administrations, regardless of their political affiliation.

While acknowledging that Nigerians are free to disagree with the cleric’s views, Odesola urged critics to refrain from distorting his comments. He argued that the nation's insecurity crisis should not be reduced to partisan politics but should inspire collective responsibility from the government, security agencies, the judiciary, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and citizens.

Odesola concluded by stating that instead of condemning Adeboye, Nigerians should focus on what he described as the central message of the cleric’s intervention: the imperative for decisive leadership, enhanced accountability, national unity, and sustained efforts to defeat terrorism and its financiers.