Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against criticism over the country’s deteriorating security situation.
Speaking at the Save Nigeria Group’s US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, Adeboye stated that the president had already fulfilled his responsibility by issuing directions to security agencies.
The cleric believes it is wrong to expect the president to personally participate in military operations.
He contended that once instructions are given to the right authority, accountability shifts to those charged with carrying them out.
Read his words below;
“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.”
Pastor Adeboye also mentioned US President Donald Trump when stating his views.
According to him, authorities issue directions, which are carried out by security and military agencies.
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,” he said.
Despite defending the president, Adeboye recognised that insecurity remains a big problem, claiming that the situation has spread beyond northern Nigeria.
“Things have gone 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,” he said.
Pastor Adeboye stated that he had informally discussed the security crisis with President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
According to him, he advised the president to set a tough timetable for military chiefs.
He said:
“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.”
The cleric further argued that ending insecurity requires targeting those allegedly financing violent activities.
“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.”