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 by giving directives to the military.
Adeboye made the remarks while speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala, organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington on June 23.
The cleric said those blaming Tinubu for the country’s security challenges were unfair in their assessment of the president’s role as commander-in-chief.
“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, he said commanders-in-chief are expected to issue directives rather than personally participate in military operations.
“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 his subordinates,” he added.
While defending Tinubu, the respected preacher admitted that the country’s security situation has deteriorated, with kidnappings and terrorist activities no longer limited to northern Nigeria.
“Things have gone far, far worse than before the bomb came,” he said.
“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.”
Adeboye disclosed that he had discussed the security situation with President Tinubu and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, urging the president to give the nation’s security chiefs 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 sponsors,” he said.
The cleric described the sponsors of terrorism as influential politicians and wealthy businessmen, insisting that tackling them was key to ending the violence.
“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… the problem will continue,” he said.
Adeboye also called on the United States and other countries to support Nigeria’s efforts in the fight against terrorism.
