The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has finally spoken out over the growing fears of a “Christian genocide” in parts of Nigeria.
The revered cleric has called on President Bola Tinubu to act fast, take firm decisions, and dismiss any security official who fails to end the killings.
Speaking during the November Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption City, Pastor Adeboye urged the federal government to handle the issue with wisdom and diplomacy.
Pastor Adeboye Calls on Tinubu to Act Against Killings
“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 met with several presidents in the past on security and religious crises but noted that his influence was limited since he could only advise and not command.
“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,” he stated.
Advice on Diplomatic Engagement and Security Directives
Laying out his advice to the current administration, Adeboye said President Tinubu should move urgently and diplomatically, especially with international powers.
“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 that former President Muhammadu Buhari once gave a similar order to the service chiefs but failed to ensure it was carried out.
“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,” Adeboye said.
The cleric further advised that any new directive from President Tinubu must include action against the financiers of terrorism.
“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 said.
Warning on Foreign Relations and Accountability of Security Chiefs
Adeboye also warned that Nigeria should be cautious in dealing with foreign powers, stressing that no country would defend Nigeria if external conflicts arise.
“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.”
He expressed frustration over comments made by President Tinubu, whom he referred to as his in-law, on 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,” he said.
Adeboye admitted that the Tinubu administration inherited a long-standing security crisis but maintained that the focus should now be on action, not excuses.
“Our President inherited this problem. I am an applied mathematician; I am only interested in getting the problem solved,” he added.
He again appealed to the federal government to seek diplomatic understanding with the U.S. President, urging that Nigerian security chiefs be given a clear 90-day deadline to deliver results or step down.
“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?” he asked.
Message of Hope Amid Rising Insecurity
The respected cleric ended his message with a note of hope and faith, assuring worshippers that God’s promise of peace will prevail despite current challenges.
“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… One way or the other, there will be peace again in Nigeria.”
Nevertheless, Pastor Adeboye’s latest comments have sparked strong reactions across social media, especially among Christians who have long called for firmer government action against persecution and insecurity.
It could be recalled that in June 2022, Adeboye had similarly warned political leaders to prioritize security and unity, saying that “a nation divided by bloodshed cannot progress.” The cleric made the statement in the wake of the gruesome killing of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
God bless you Papa, more grace and wisdom