The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has defended recent comments made by its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on President Bola Tinubu and the country’s security challenges, insisting that the cleric’s remarks were misunderstood and unfairly portrayed as a defence of the Federal Government.
The clarification came from the Continental Overseer of RCCG, Continent 3, Pastor Johnson Odesola, in a statement titled “Pastor Adeboye Deserves Fair Hearing, Not Unfair Criticism.”
He said many critics reacted to short video clips circulating on social media without listening to the full address delivered by Adeboye at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C.
The church maintained that the General Overseer neither dismissed the security challenges confronting Nigeria nor attempted to shield the President from criticism.
Adeboye’s comments sparked reactions
Adeboye recently came under criticism after stating that Nigerians should not expect President Tinubu to “wear khaki and go and fight” terrorists and other criminal elements, a remark many social media users interpreted as an attempt to justify the government’s handling of insecurity.
The cleric had explained that while the President serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, military operations are carried out by trained security personnel under established constitutional structures.
His comments generated mixed reactions, with some Nigerians accusing him of defending the administration despite growing concerns over terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across different parts of the country.
However, the RCCG leadership insisted that the criticism stemmed from incomplete video clips that failed to capture the broader context of Adeboye’s message.
Adeboye’s comments in context
According to Odesola, Adeboye acknowledged that insecurity has deteriorated in recent years, with terrorist attacks, kidnappings and banditry no longer limited to the northern region but spreading into many southern states.
He said the cleric never suggested that the government had done enough or that Nigerians should ignore the country’s security challenges.
Rather, Odesola explained that Adeboye’s reference to the President not wearing military uniforms was intended to explain the constitutional responsibilities attached to the office of the Commander-in-Chief.
“He did not defend failure. He simply reminded Nigerians that political leaders provide direction while military professionals execute operations.
“Far from defending incompetence, Pastor Adeboye challenged those responsible for national security to produce results,” Odesola stated.
Focus on terrorism sponsors
The RCCG leader argued that perhaps the most important aspect of Adeboye’s address was his call for authorities to identify and prosecute those financing terrorism and violent crimes across the country.
According to him, insurgent groups cannot survive without funding, intelligence, logistics, weapons and political protection supplied by influential individuals.
“This is perhaps the strongest part of his intervention. Terrorists do not operate in isolation. They require money, weapons, logistics, intelligence and political protection. Every insurgent group survives because powerful individuals somewhere are financing its operations,” Odesola said.
He stressed that defeating terrorism requires not only military operations but also determined efforts to expose and punish those providing financial and logistical support to criminal organisations.
Religious leaders have moral responsibility
Responding to those who questioned why Adeboye commented on national security matters, Odesola said religious leaders have historically played significant roles in advising governments and speaking on issues affecting society.
He noted that throughout history and in biblical accounts, spiritual leaders offered counsel to rulers, challenged injustice and encouraged accountability in governance.
According to him, Adeboye has consistently prayed for Nigeria and provided guidance to successive administrations regardless of political affiliation, demonstrating his commitment to national peace and development.
He added that offering moral guidance during periods of national crisis should not be interpreted as political partisanship.
Call for unity against insecurity
While acknowledging that Nigerians have the constitutional right to disagree with the General Overseer’s opinions, Odesola urged critics to avoid distorting his comments or drawing conclusions from short social media clips.
He said the country’s worsening insecurity should not be reduced to partisan politics but should instead encourage collective action involving the Federal Government, security agencies, the judiciary, traditional rulers, religious leaders and ordinary citizens.
According to him, solving Nigeria’s security challenges requires cooperation from every sector of society rather than blame games and political divisions.
He maintained that Adeboye’s central message was the need for decisive leadership, accountability, national unity and sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks by targeting not only those carrying out attacks but also those financing and supporting their operations.
The RCCG leader urged Nigerians to focus on the substance of Adeboye’s message rather than isolated comments, insisting that the cleric’s appeal was ultimately for stronger leadership, justice for victims of insecurity and a united national resolve to restore peace across the country.