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 security situation, saying the President has fulfilled his constitutional responsibility by directing the military to tackle insecurity.
Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, DC, on 23 June, and monitored by Breezy News, Adeboye argued that the Commander-in-Chief should not be expected to personally lead military operations on the battlefield.
“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,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, Adeboye said American presidents also issue military directives without participating directly in combat.
“When my friend Trump gives instructions to bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House. He has done his bit. He gives the order, and the rest is left to the military,” he added.
Despite defending the President, the cleric acknowledged that insecurity in Nigeria had deteriorated significantly, with terrorism and kidnapping spreading from the northern part of the country to the South.
He said the situation had become so severe that criminal activities were now occurring close to his own community, adding that many Nigerians were questioning where God was amid the worsening violence.
Adeboye disclosed that he had personally discussed the country’s security challenges with President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, urging the President to issue firm directives to the nation’s security chiefs.
The RCCG leader said he advised Tinubu to give military commanders a 90-day deadline to eliminate terrorist groups or resign from their positions.
He also called on the Federal Government to target the financiers of terrorism rather than focusing solely on those carrying out attacks.
According to Adeboye, many of the individuals sponsoring terrorist activities are well known and include influential businessmen and politicians who continue to move about freely despite their alleged involvement.
He warned that unless those providing weapons, ammunition and financial support to criminal groups are brought to justice, insecurity would persist across the country.
The cleric further appealed to the United States and other international partners to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and other forms of violent crime.
