Mike Bamiloye, founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, says it is unreasonable to expect Enoch Adeboye, the 84-year-old general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), to lead protests against the government.
Bamiloye was responding to criticisms that Adeboye has remained quiet despite the country’s worsening security situation.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Bamiloye, who is also a gospel filmmaker, said although Adeboye had publicly spoken against insecurity and violence, many bloggers chose not to highlight his comments.
The evangelist also criticised those demanding that Adeboye take part in anti-government demonstrations.
“Many bloggers saw this, but they would not project it. But he spoke against the evils,” he wrote.
“And for all those who are expecting an 84-year-old man, servant of God, to lead a protest against a government, this does not make sense by virtue of his age and the mandate of his calling.”
Bamiloye also addressed claims that Adeboye protested during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan but has remained silent under President Bola Tinubu.
The claim resurfaced after a photograph of Adeboye leading a public march circulated on social media.
However, RCCG clarified that the image was taken during a nationwide anti-killings walk held in February 2020 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The church said the march followed a directive issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria, with churches across the country participating in protests against insecurity.
Bamiloye reiterated the position, saying Adeboye merely complied with the directive from CAN and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.
“And for all those who said he led a protest against Jonathan, on February 2, 2020, it was the instruction of the CAN and PFN for every church to stage a protest against insecurity in the nation, and he complied and led his denomination too, just as some other churches did,” he said.
He noted that the church’s primary responsibility is to pray for the country and seek divine intervention in governance.
“Our major responsibility as the church of God is to continually pray for the peace of our nation and the intervention of God in the government,” he added.
