Obi, Ezekwesili defend Adeboye, warn against ethnic division

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Oby Ezekwesili, former education minister, have separately defended General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, amid renewed social media criticism over his comments on Nigeria’s insecurity and governance.

Adeboye had urged the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to issue security chiefs a 90-day ultimatum to end terrorism in Nigeria or throw in the towel.

He made the call in a video shared via his official X account on Tuesday, expressing deep concern over the country’s worsening security situation and the continued threat posed by terrorist groups.

The cleric stressed that those entrusted with safeguarding the nation must be held accountable and expected to deliver measurable results in the fight against insecurity.

But Adeboye’s reaction to the country’s security challenges received some bashing on social media.

But Obi, on his social media page, cautioned Nigerian youths against being drawn into narratives that exploit ethnicity and religion to divide citizens, warning that political actors often benefit when public attention shifts from governance failures to identity conflicts.

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He also defended Adeboye, describing him as a respected faith leader who has consistently preached peace, unity and national reconciliation, adding that it is unfair to expect elderly clerics to assume responsibilities that belong to younger citizens.

Similarly, Ezekwesili reinforced the defence of Adeboye, insisting that the cleric has repeatedly spoken on insecurity, restructuring and governance across different administrations, and that critics have often ignored his public interventions.

She added that Adeboye’s past remarks demonstrate sustained engagement with national issues, urging Nigerians to focus less on whether leaders speak and more on how citizens respond to calls for reform and unity.

The two public figures said the growing trend of misinformation and identity-based narratives poses risks to national cohesion, calling on citizens to verify information, resist manipulation, and prioritise collective development over divisive rhetoric.