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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly, wisely, and diplomatically in addressing the growing concerns about the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Speaking during November Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption City camp ground, Adeboye said that the government must adopt a balanced and strategic approach to the security challenges confronting the nation.
“If I am asked to make suggestions, I will say quietly to the governments to move wisely, diplomatically,” he said. “I have cousins. There were times in Nigeria when Christians and Muslims were living together. I have families that are Muslims till date. When I was little, I ate sari with them, and I still eat my breakfast, but the issue of religion started when politics came into religion.”
Adeboye explained that he had previously advised past presidents privately on security and religious matters but emphasised that such efforts were limited since only the Commander-in-Chief has the power to take decisive action.
“All the presidents who were around when this trouble started, whatever I discussed is top privacy. I have done my best behind the scene, but as I have always told you, you can only advise a Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. But I have tried. God is my witness.”
The cleric then outlined what he would do if given the opportunity to advise the government again.
“What should we do now? If I was asked to make suggestions, I will say quietly to our government: move fast, move diplomatically, move wisely. Find a way to convince the President of America to please delay his actions for about 100 days, and then come home and tell our security chiefs to get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign.”
He recalled a similar directive issued by former President Muhammadu Buhari, which he said was not effectively followed through.
“There was a President, Buhari, who issued such an order. He called the service chiefs together and said, ‘Get rid of these Boko Haram people or resign.’ He ran with that advice but he did not follow through because he gave the order as the Commander, but he did not follow up. The work was not done after three months, so I went to see him. I asked him, ‘Why did you not proceed with your threat?’ One thing came out of the meeting which will lead me to the advice.”
Adeboye further advised that any new order from President Tinubu to the military should go beyond fighting insurgents to targeting their financiers and backers.
“When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, he should make it clear to them they are not only to eliminate the terrorists but also eliminate the sponsors, no matter how influential they may be.”
He also cautioned that Nigeria should tread carefully in its diplomatic dealings with global powers, warning that no foreign nation would come to its rescue if conflict escalates.
“When I say our leaders should move diplomatically, we must take note of the fact that if America should attack us, China is not coming to defend us. Likewise Russia and Britain. All the so-called world leaders, they will talk and condemn what America has done, but they won’t help us.”
Adeboye emphasised that the moment called for action rather than debate or excuses.
“This is not the time to joke. This is not the time for grammar, not time to argue, is it suicide or kidnap? This is not the time to say it’s not Christians alone, Muslims are also involved. Innocent people are dying.”
The cleric said he was nearly moved to respond publicly after hearing a recent speech by President Tinubu, whom he referred to as his in-law, particularly the portion that painted a positive picture of the security situation in the country.
“I almost spoke last month when I heard the speech of my in-law (Tinubu), particularly that section that spoke about security. I heard him saying, all is well now, that displaced people have returned to their villages. I almost said the one who wrote that speech does not like him. Somebody wrote it, but it was the President who read it. There are several people around Tinubu who are not telling him the truth. The following day we read that a traditional ruler was killed in Kwara or Kogi.”
Adeboye stressed that the current administration inherited a longstanding crisis but must now focus on concrete solutions.
“Our President inherited this problem. I am an applied mathematician; I am only interested in getting the problem solved.”
He restated his earlier call for diplomacy with the United States, suggesting that the Nigerian government should engage with U.S. President Donald Trump for a temporary reprieve while demanding accountability from security chiefs.
“Let the government use diplomatic methods to convince Trump to give us 100 days of grace to call our service chiefs to perform within three months or resign. Now, where do you come in?”
Adeboye concluded on a note of hope, reminding his congregation of God’s promise of peace despite turbulent times.
“I shared with you, my children, that God said this will be a remarkable year, that the wind blowing last year will be more violent this year. Any time we have meetings like this, God picks the topic. By this time next week, we will be having the Holy Ghost service in Abuja. He gave us the theme, ‘Fear not,’ that months ago before Trump spoke. One way or the other, there will be peace again in Nigeria.”
