The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, saying the president has fulfilled his responsibility as commander-in-chief by directing the military and should not be expected to fight on the frontlines.
Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23, Adeboye said those blaming Tinubu for the country’s security challenges were unfair in their assessment of the president’s role.
“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),” Adeboye said.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, the cleric referenced U.S. President Donald Trump. “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.”
Adeboye said he maintained his position even as insecurity continues to spread across Nigeria, noting that terrorism and kidnapping have moved beyond the northern region into the south.
“Things have gone far, far worse than before the bomb came,” he said, referring to the U.S. bombing of Islamist terrorists last December. “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.”
The RCCG leader disclosed that he had discussed the country’s security situation with President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who is also a pastor in the church.
According to Adeboye, he advised the president to issue a firm directive to military commanders across the armed forces and give them a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorism or resign. “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,” he said.
The cleric described those sponsoring terrorism as influential and wealthy individuals, including politicians and businesspeople, insisting that dismantling their networks is key to ending the violence. “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 also urged the United States to work with other countries in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism and improve national security.