Adeboye defends Tinubu, demands 90-day deadline to crush terrorism

 

Enoch Adeboye, pastor and general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has defended President Bola Tinubu against mounting criticism over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, insisting that the president has fulfilled his constitutional duty by directing the military to confront terrorists.

However, the respected cleric challenged Tinubu to intensify the fight against insurgency by giving military commanders a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorism or resign, while ordering security agencies to dismantle the networks financing violent groups.

Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington on June 23, Adeboye said those blaming Tinubu for the country’s security challenges misunderstand the responsibilities of a commander-in-chief.

“I don’t support those accusing the president of not doing enough,” he said. “When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to put on khaki and go to the battlefield.”

To reinforce his point, Adeboye compared Tinubu’s role to that of United States President Donald Trump, saying world leaders issue military directives without personally joining combat operations.

Despite his defence of the president, Adeboye admitted that insecurity has worsened across Nigeria, with terrorism and kidnapping spreading from the northern states to communities in the South.

“The terrorism and kidnapping that were in the North are now at my doorstep,” he said, lamenting that the level of violence has become so severe that many Nigerians are asking, “Where is your God?”

The cleric revealed that he had discussed the country’s security crisis with President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who is also a pastor in the RCCG. During the meeting, he advised the president to issue a clear directive to military commanders to eradicate terrorism within 90 days or step aside.

“I told him to direct the military officers across the armed forces to wipe out this rubbish within 90 days or resign,” Adeboye said.

He also urged the federal government to focus on those financing terrorism, describing them as influential businessmen and politicians whose continued freedom has allowed insecurity to persist.

“Some of them are businessmen. Some are politicians. Go after them,” he said, stressing that the insurgency would continue unless authorities dismantle the financial and logistical support networks supplying terrorists with weapons and ammunition.

Adeboye further appealed to the United States and other international partners to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in combating terrorism, expressing confidence that coordinated global support would help restore peace and security across the country.