The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, has defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism over the country’s worsening insecurity, arguing that the President has fulfilled his responsibility by issuing directives to security agencies.
Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, Adeboye said it is unfair to expect the Commander-in-Chief to personally participate in military operations.
According to the cleric, once the President gives instructions to the appropriate authorities, the responsibility for implementation rests with those assigned to carry them out.
“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 also drew a comparison with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying national leaders issue directives while the military executes them.
“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.”
Despite defending the President, the RCCG leader acknowledged that insecurity remains a serious national challenge, saying the violence has spread from northern Nigeria to parts of the South.
“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.”
Adeboye disclosed that he had privately discussed the security situation with President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
According to him, he advised the President to give the military leadership a strict deadline to end insecurity.
“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.”
He further argued that defeating terrorism requires targeting those allegedly financing and supplying armed groups.
“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.”
Adeboye added that dismantling the networks that fund and equip violent groups would significantly improve Nigeria’s security situation. He also called for stronger international cooperation, urging countries such as the United States to support Nigeria’s efforts in combating terrorism and restoring security.
