Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, has backed Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who recently stated that President Bola Tinubu has done his best on security and that the President can now “go home and rest.”
Obi made the remarks during a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, which was released to YouTube on Thursday, in response to a query about why Nigerians should support his presidential ambition rather than another opposition candidate.
When asked why he should be elected, Obi stated that Nigerians should consider his track record and compare it to his present initiatives for the country.
“It’s for you to look at my past and look at what I’m saying now,” he said.
In reaction to Adeboye’s comments on Tinubu’s efforts to tackle insecurity, Obi said the respected cleric was correct in saying the president had tried his best.
“Somebody asked me yesterday; they said that Pastor Adeboye said Tinubu has tried his best and he’s not happy.
“And I said, no, Pastor Adeboye remains a very revered, respected religious father whose genuineness and goodness I believe in.
“And what he said was correct. He said he has tried his best. He’s trying his best. That’s it. It’s the correct answer.
“The question to ask is, Is his best good enough? Where we find ourselves today, that leads to the issue of capacity.”
Obi argued that leadership requires competence, capacity, compassion, commitment, and character, adding that the country’s current security challenges showed the need for a change in leadership.
“When I talk about leadership, I say competence, capacity, compassion, commitment, and character. These are the issues. President Tinubu is tired. He needs to go home and rest,” Obi said.
Adeboye defended Tinubu against criticisms over worsening insecurity, saying the president had fulfilled his responsibility by issuing directives to the military.
Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala hosted by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23, Adeboye said it was unfair to accuse the president of inaction because a commander-in-chief was not expected to personally participate in military operations.
“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 had said.
Despite defending Tinubu, the cleric expressed alarm about the increasing security situation, pointing out that terrorism and kidnapping have expanded from northern Nigeria to the south.
He revealed that he recommended the president issue a 90-day ultimatum to military leaders to stop insecurity or resign, as well as encouraged the government to pursue terrorist supporters, whom he claimed were known to authorities.
