Amid growing criticism and public claims that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is partisian in addressing national issues, the church has pushed back against such claims linking the cleric, to politics, insisting he has never held any political role or acted on behalf of any government.
The clarification comes amid growing criticism by Nigerians, suggesting that the cleric has taken a political stance or avoided commenting more forcefully on pressing national issues due to perceived links with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Some commentators also referenced the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who is also a senior pastor in the RCCG, as part of the alleged political connections within the church’s leadership structure.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, RCCG dismissed the claims as misrepresentations, insisting that Pastor Adeboye has remained non-partisan and has never been involved in political endorsements or government arrangements.
RCCG further addressed claims that Pastor Adeboye once called off a planned protest, describing the assertion as false and clarifying that he only conveyed instructions issued by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) regarding adjustments to a scheduled prayer programme and rally.
“Pastor E.A. Adeboye only communicated the instruction of the Pentecostal Fellowship in Nigeria to members of the RCCG on the updated plan to have the grand finale of the Three Day Prayer Program in a centralized venue and hold a rally around the venue. This was communicated by PFN to all churches under PFN in Nigeria,” the church stated.
The church said the General Overseer has, over the years, spoken on national issues such as insecurity, corruption, economic hardship and governance, but has consistently done so through moral instruction, prayer and spiritual counsel rather than partisan political engagement.
It maintained that members of the church are encouraged to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and vote according to their conscience, stressing that the church does not direct political choices.
“Pastor E.A. Adeboye has always encouraged members of The Redeemed Christian Church of God to get their PVC’s and vote for anyone of their choice. He has always maintained a neutral stance on Political parties as members of the Church are members of various Political Parties,” it stated.
RCCG further reiterated that Pastor Adeboye’s public interventions are rooted in spiritual leadership rather than political activism, adding that his approach has remained consistent over the years.
The church urged the public to avoid misrepresenting the cleric’s statements or assigning political motives to his ministerial activities.