Prominent evangelist and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has issued a marching order to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, chief of defence staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd) and other Nigeria’s security chiefs, to eliminate terrorists within 90 days or resign from their various positions.
“Get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign,” Adeboye declared, in a viral video which circulated on social media yesterday, barely hours after his church issued a statement denying allegations that he had participated in a protest against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Adeboye also dismissed suggestions that he had been silent in the face of worsening insecurity because President Bola Tinubu is his kinsmen, insisting that he had made efforts behind the scenes to raise concerns about the security situation.
“You can only advise the Commander-in-Chief, you cannot command him, because if you command the Commander-in-Chief, you become the commander of the Commander-in-Chief, and it doesn’t make sense.” Adeboye added that he had made efforts behind the scenes to raise concerns about the security situation. “But I’ve tried and God is my witness,” he stated.
Adeboye said he would recommend urgent action by both the government and the nation’s security leadership.
“What should we do? I’m talking to you as my children. If I were asked to make suggestions, I would say to our government, move fast,” he said.
RCCG had earlier yesterday stated that photographs being circulated online as evidence of a protest against Jonathan were actually taken during a nationwide peace walk organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The church’s clarification had followed criticism from some social media users who accused the cleric of remaining silent on economic hardship and insecurity under President Bola Tinubu while allegedly speaking out during previous administrations.
According to the church, the peace walk was organised to draw attention to the killing of Christians and other Nigerians and to urge government authorities to do more to protect lives and property.
RCCG also argued that Adeboye had not been silent on insecurity, pointing to previous remarks in which he called on the Federal Government to confront terrorism decisively and go after not only terrorists but also their sponsors.
The church also said Pastor Adeboye did not cancel a planned protest against insecurity and economic hardship, stating that he merely conveyed a decision reached by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) concerning changes to the programme.
The church made the clarification in a statement shared by its public relations platform on X amid public debate over the fate of a prayer programme and rally announced by church leaders, as well as criticism directed at Adeboye over his comments on national issues and politics.
According to RCCG, reports suggesting that Adeboye personally called off the planned protest were inaccurate.
“Pastor E.A. Adeboye only communicated the instruction of the Pentecostal Fellowship in Nigeria to members of the RCCG on the updated plan to have the grand finale of the Three Day Prayer Program in a centralised venue and hold a rally around the venue,” the statement said.
The church also addressed claims that Adeboye has remained silent on challenges facing the country, including insecurity, corruption, economic hardship and governance.
RCCG said the cleric has consistently spoken on national issues but has often chosen to do so through prayer, counsel and moral guidance rather than partisan political engagement.
The church further dismissed claims that Adeboye campaigned for any government in power, maintaining that he has always encouraged members to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote according to their convictions while remaining neutral on political parties.
According to the statement, misleading claims about the church and its leader have circulated for years, prompting the need for clarification.
“The lies have gone on long enough. It stops now!!!” the church stated.
RCCG urged the public to verify any information concerning Adeboye or the church through its official communication channels before accepting or sharing it.
“Therefore, before accepting, sharing, or amplifying any claim concerning Pastor E.A. Adeboye or The RCCG, verify it through our official public relations platform, @rccg_pr,” it added.
