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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Ezekwesili defends Adeboye, says he has spoken on Insecurity, restructuring

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili defended Pastor Enoch Adeboye, stating he has consistently addressed Nigeria's issues of insecurity and restructuring.
  • Ezekwesili argued that the problem lies not in Adeboye's silence, but in Nigerians' lack of attention to his interventions over the years.
  • She urged citizens to focus on acting upon such messages and demanding reforms rather than questioning whether influential leaders have spoken out.

Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili has publicly defended Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, against accusations of silence on Nigeria's pressing national challenges. Ezekwesili asserted that Adeboye has consistently voiced his concerns on insecurity, governance, and the need for restructuring throughout various administrations.

No, Pastor Adeboye is not our problem. He speaks. He spoke in the 1990s. He spoke in the early 2000s. He spoke in 2010. He spoke in 2020. He spoke in 2025.

— Oby EzekwesiliDefending Pastor Adeboye's record of speaking on national issues.

In a social media statement, Ezekwesili emphasized that the core issue is not whether Adeboye has spoken, but rather whether Nigerians have paid sufficient attention to his interventions. She recalled Adeboye's remarks across different decades, including specific calls to action made in November 2025. During that period, Adeboye reportedly urged President Bola Tinubu's administration to decisively tackle insecurity, stating, "You can only advise the Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. But I’ve tried. God is my witness."

You can only advise the Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. But I’ve tried. God is my witness.

— Pastor Enoch AdeboyeUrging decisive action against insecurity, as quoted by Ezekwesili.

Ezekwesili further highlighted Adeboye's past statements, including those from October 1, 2020, during a governance forum marking Nigeria's 60th Independence Anniversary. At that event, the cleric reportedly criticized aspects of Nigeria's governance structure and advocated for urgent structural reforms, warning, "It is either we restructure or we break. You don’t have to be a prophet to know that. Now, we don’t want to break up, God forbid."

Tell our security chiefs to get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign.

— Pastor Enoch AdeboyeCalling for action against terrorists, as quoted by Ezekwesili.

By citing these instances, Ezekwesili aimed to demonstrate that Adeboye has consistently spoken truth to power. She concluded by calling for a collective focus on implementing the messages delivered by influential figures and actively pursuing the necessary reforms, rather than debating the mere act of speaking out.

It is ridiculous that a traditional ruler must inform a local government chairman before he travels.

— Pastor Enoch AdeboyeCriticizing Nigeria's governance structure, as quoted by Ezekwesili.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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