RCCG Continental Overseer says General Overseer’s comments on President Bola Tinubu’s role in tackling insecurity were taken out of context and calls for a fair hearing

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, insisting that the respected cleric was widely misunderstood and unfairly criticised over remarks relating to President Bola Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Also read: Adeboye says rising insecurity has reached his doorstep

In a statement titled “Pastor Adeboye Deserves Fair Hearing, Not Unfair Criticism,” Odesola said many of those criticising Adeboye relied on short video clips circulated on social media rather than listening to the complete address delivered during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C.

The clarification follows widespread reactions after excerpts of Adeboye’s speech appeared online, with some critics accusing the cleric of attempting to shield the Tinubu administration from responsibility for persistent insecurity across the country.

Odesola rejected that interpretation, stressing that Adeboye acknowledged the deteriorating security situation and recognised that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping had expanded beyond northern Nigeria into several southern states.

According to Odesola, Adeboye’s observation that Nigerians should not expect the President to “wear khaki and go and fight” was intended to explain the constitutional responsibilities of the Commander-in-Chief rather than absolve the Federal Government of accountability.

“He did not defend failure. He simply reminded Nigerians that political leaders provide direction while military professionals execute operations,” Odesola said.

“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.”

Odesola argued that the financing of terrorism remains one of the country’s most pressing security challenges, describing Adeboye’s appeal for decisive action against sponsors of violent groups as a powerful aspect of the cleric’s 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 added.

Addressing criticism over Adeboye’s involvement in public discourse on national security, Odesola maintained that religious leaders have historically provided moral leadership and guidance during periods of national uncertainty.

He said biblical figures frequently advised political rulers and challenged injustice, adding that Adeboye had consistently offered prayers and counsel to successive Nigerian administrations regardless of political affiliation.

Odesola acknowledged that Nigerians were entitled to disagree with Adeboye’s views but urged critics to engage with the cleric’s complete remarks rather than isolated excerpts circulated online.

He further argued that the country’s security crisis should not be viewed solely through a partisan political lens but should encourage collective responsibility among government institutions, security agencies, the judiciary, traditional rulers, religious organisations and citizens.

Rather than focusing on controversy, Odesola said the public should concentrate on what he described as the central message of Adeboye’s speech, namely the need for decisive leadership, stronger accountability, national unity and sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and those funding them.

Adeboye has, over the years, periodically spoken on issues affecting national development, including governance, corruption, economic hardship and security.

While some of his public interventions have attracted political debate, the RCCG leader has repeatedly maintained that his comments are guided by his pastoral responsibility to pray for the nation and encourage leaders to govern with integrity.

Also read: Eliminate terrorists within 90 days or step down, Adeboye tells security chiefs

The latest exchange comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with persistent security threats across several regions, with attacks by armed groups, kidnappings for ransom and communal violence remaining major concerns despite ongoing military operations and repeated assurances by the Federal Government to improve security nationwide.