Pastor Enoch Adeboye criticises President Tinubu’s security speech, urging firm action against terrorism and religious killings in Nigeria

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has criticised a section of President Bola Tinubu’s October 1 Independence Day speech on security, suggesting that whoever wrote the speech “does not like him.”

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Speaking at the November Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption City Campground, Adeboye highlighted statements in Tinubu’s speech claiming that displaced persons had returned to their villages.

“There are several people around Tinubu who are not telling him the truth,” he said, noting that a traditional ruler was killed in Kwara or Kogi the following day.

While recognising that the President inherited Nigeria’s security challenges, Adeboye stressed the need for decisive action.

“I am an applied mathematician; I am only interested in getting the problem solved,” he said, urging the Federal Government to act wisely, diplomatically, and decisively.

The cleric recalled privately advising past presidents on security matters, emphasising that his counsel is limited to guidance rather than command.

“All the presidents who were around when this trouble started… I have done my best behind the scenes, but you can only advise a Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him,” he explained.

Adeboye called on Tinubu to hold service chiefs accountable, warning that past directives, such as former President Buhari’s orders to eliminate Boko Haram,

failed due to lack of follow-through. He stressed that combating terrorism must also target financiers, “no matter how influential they may be.”

On international matters, Adeboye urged caution. “If America should attack us, China is not coming to defend us.

Likewise, Russia and Britain… they will talk and condemn, but they won’t help us.” He described the current situation as a time for practical action rather than political debate.

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The cleric concluded his message with a note of hope, assuring Nigerians that peace would eventually return. “God said this will be a remarkable year… One way or the other, there will be peace again in Nigeria,” he said.