RCCG pastor: Adeboye’s comment on Tinubu misinterpreted

The Continental Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Continent 3, Pastor Johnson Odesola, has defended comments made by the church's General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, asserting they were misinterpreted and unfairly portrayed as a defense of President Bola Tinubu regarding national insecurity.

Odesola stated that critics often rely on short social media clips rather than listening to Adeboye's complete remarks, which were delivered at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C. He clarified that Adeboye did not deny the worsening insecurity in Nigeria. Instead, the cleric acknowledged that terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping have spread from the North into various parts of the South.

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Pastor Adeboye Deserves Fair Hearing, Not Unfair Criticism

According to Odesola, Adeboye's remark that Nigerians should not expect the President to "wear khaki and go and fight" was an explanation of the constitutional role of a Commander-in-Chief. It was not an attempt to excuse government shortcomings. "He (Adeboye) did not defend failure. He simply reminded Nigerians that political leaders provide direction while military professionals execute operations," Odesola explained.

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He (Adeboye) did not defend failure. He simply reminded Nigerians that political leaders provide direction while military professionals execute operations.

Odesola emphasized that Adeboye's intervention also challenged those responsible for national security to produce results and, significantly, highlighted the need to confront those who sponsor terrorism. "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 added.

Addressing questions about why religious leaders should comment on national security, Odesola cited historical precedents of religious figures providing moral guidance during crises. He maintained that Adeboye consistently prays for Nigeria and offers counsel to successive administrations, regardless of political affiliation. Odesola urged critics to avoid distorting Adeboye's comments and instead focus on the central message of decisive leadership, accountability, national unity, and sustained efforts to defeat terrorism and its financiers.

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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.