The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, has expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to take stronger measures against terrorism and insecurity.
Speaking in a video shared on his social media platforms, Pastor Adeboye said that while he could offer advice to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he could not issue directives to the Commander-in-Chief.
“You can only advise the Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. If you command the Commander-in-Chief, then you become the commander of the Commander-in-Chief, which would not make sense. But I have tried, and God is my witness,” he said.
The 84-year-old cleric stated that if given the opportunity to make recommendations, he would advise the government to direct security agencies to eliminate terrorist threats within 90 days or step aside.
“If I am asked to make suggestions, I will quietly advise the government to move swiftly and instruct the security chiefs to get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign,” he said.
Adeboye noted that he had previously offered similar advice during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, Buhari acted on the recommendation by summoning security chiefs and giving them a three-month deadline to address the security challenges.
The cleric revealed that he was the one who gave the former president that advice, adding that while Buhari initiated the process, he did not fully follow through when the deadline elapsed.
“When the three months passed and the job was not done, why was the next step not taken? I will not go into details, but something happened during that meeting that led to my next piece of advice,” Adeboye stated.
He also urged the Tinubu administration to go beyond targeting terrorists and focus on identifying and prosecuting those who sponsor criminal activities.
“If any of you can reach the authorities, tell them that it is not enough to eliminate the terrorists; their sponsors must also be brought to justice, no matter how influential they may be,” he added.
Meanwhile, the RCCG has recently addressed what it described as false narratives surrounding the church and its leadership.
In a statement issued through its Public Relations Unit on its official X account, the church denied claims that it campaigned for the ruling All Progressives Congress government.
The church clarified that Pastor Adeboye has consistently encouraged members to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and exercise their constitutional right to vote for candidates of their choice.
RCCG also responded to recent controversies involving allegations of a planned protest and calls by some individuals for the removal of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as a pastor in the church.
The church maintained that Pastor Adeboye and RCCG would not be defined by misinformation and stressed that it would continue to correct inaccurate narratives whenever necessary.
“Pastor Adeboye and the RCCG will not be defined by falsehoods, and the church will not remain silent while inaccurate narratives are repeatedly circulated as facts,” the statement said.
