Adeboye Defends Tinubu Over Insecurity, Urges Crackdown on Terror Sponsors

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 security situation, arguing that the president has carried out his constitutional responsibility by directing the country's security agencies.

Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23, Adeboye said it was unfair to blame Tinubu for not personally confronting terrorists on the battlefield.

According to the cleric, the role of a commander-in-chief is to issue directives to the military, not to participate directly in combat 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 part. You don't expect him to put on military uniform and go to the battlefield," Adeboye said.

To illustrate his point, the RCCG leader compared Tinubu's role to that of U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that American presidents also rely on military commanders to execute their orders rather than leading military operations themselves.

Despite defending the president, Adeboye acknowledged that insecurity has deteriorated significantly, saying terrorism and kidnapping have spread beyond northern Nigeria into the southern part of the country.

He lamented that the security situation has become so severe that many people have begun questioning God's presence amid the violence, adding that criminal activities once concentrated in the North are now affecting communities in the South, including areas close to him.

Adeboye also claimed that those financing terrorist activities are well known but continue to operate freely without facing the full weight of the law.

The respected cleric revealed that he had personally discussed the security crisis with President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is also a pastor in the RCCG.

According to him, he advised the president to give the leadership of the Army, Navy and Air Force a 90-day deadline to eliminate terrorism or step down from their positions.

"I told him to instruct all the military chiefs that they have 90 days to wipe out terrorism or resign, and then go after those sponsoring these criminals," he said.

Adeboye argued that defeating terrorism requires targeting those who finance and equip criminal groups, describing the sponsors as influential individuals, including politicians and business figures.

He stressed that unless authorities dismantle the financial and logistical networks supplying terrorists with weapons and other resources, the country's security challenges will persist.

The RCCG General Overseer also called on the United States and other members of the international community to support Nigeria's efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen national security.