The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has come to the defence of President Bola Tinubu amid mounting criticism over escalating insecurity, insisting the president has done his part by directing security forces.
Speaking at a faith award gala in Washington, D.C., Adeboye dismissed calls for Tinubu to personally confront terrorists on the battlefield as unrealistic.
“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 said.
He drew parallels with former US President Donald Trump issuing military orders without leaving the White House.
Yet Adeboye acknowledged the crisis has worsened dramatically, with terrorism spreading deep into southern Nigeria. “Things have gone far, far worse… so bad that they are asking: ‘Where is your God?’ That is how bad it is,” he lamented.
The cleric revealed he urged Tinubu to give military commanders a strict 90-day ultimatum. “I told him to tell all the military people: ‘You have 90 days. Wipe out this rubbish or resign.’ And then take care of the supporters, the sponsors,” Adeboye said.
He emphasised that influential backers, including some businessmen and politicians, are the real enablers of the violence. “Some of them are businessmen. Some of them are politicians. Go after them,” he urged.
Adeboye also called for stronger international cooperation, particularly with the United States, to tackle the root causes of insurgency.
