Tinubu: Pastor Adeboye Did Not Defend Failure, Insecurity’ – RCCG Pastor

The Continental Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Continent 3, Pastor Johnson Odesola, has defended the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, over his comments on insecurity in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that Odesola said Adeboye’s remarks were misinterpreted and unfairly portrayed as a defence of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the country’s security challenges.

He stated this in a statement titled, “Pastor Adeboye Deserves Fair Hearing, Not Unfair Criticism.”

Odesola said many critics based their reactions on short clips circulated on social media instead of listening to Adeboye’s full remarks at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C.

According to him, the cleric never denied that insecurity had worsened in the country.

He said Adeboye acknowledged that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping had spread beyond the North to several parts of the South.

Odesola said Adeboye’s comment that Nigerians should not expect the President to “wear khaki and go and fight” was an explanation of the constitutional role of the Commander-in-Chief.

The cleric said, “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. Even more significant was his emphasis on confronting those who sponsor terrorism.”

Terror Sponsors Must Be Tackled

Odesola described Adeboye’s call for action against terrorism financiers as one of the strongest aspects 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,” he said.

Responding to critics who questioned Adeboye’s intervention in national security matters, Odesola said religious leaders had historically provided moral guidance during national crises.

He maintained that the RCCG General Overseer had consistently prayed for Nigeria and offered counsel to successive administrations, irrespective of political affiliation.

While acknowledging Nigerians’ right to disagree with Adeboye, Odesola urged critics not to distort his comments.

He said insecurity should not be reduced to partisan politics but should instead encourage collective responsibility among the government, security agencies, the judiciary, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and citizens.

Odesola added that Nigerians should focus on Adeboye’s call for decisive leadership, accountability, national unity and sustained efforts to defeat terrorism and its financiers.