Adeboye backs Tinubu, calls for crackdown on terror sponsors

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid growing criticism over Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, while also urging decisive action against those sponsoring terrorism in the country.

Speaking at the US–Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group on June 23 in Washington, Adeboye said the president should not be blamed for insecurity if he has already issued directives to security agencies.

He stated that the responsibility of executing such orders rests with the military and not the president personally, stressing that leadership does not require the commander-in-chief to be physically present on the battlefield.

“I need to make this one clear: I don’t support those who are accusing the president of not doing enough,” Adeboye said, adding, “When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and fight.”

He compared the situation to leadership practices in the United States, saying: “When my friend Trump gives instructions to go and bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House. He has done his bit. ‘I hereby command, bomb Iran’, and then he goes to his bedroom and sleeps. The rest is left to the soldiers.”

Despite defending the president’s approach, Adeboye acknowledged that Nigeria’s security situation has significantly deteriorated, noting that terrorism and kidnapping, once largely concentrated in the northern region, have now spread to other parts of the country.

He described the situation as deeply alarming, adding that insecurity had worsened to the point where communities are questioning divine protection.

“Things have gone far, far worse than before the bomb came. So bad that they are asking: ‘Where is your God?’ That is how bad it is,” he said.

The cleric disclosed that he had personally raised concerns about the security crisis with President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and advised that stronger military action be taken against perpetrators and their supporters.

He said: “I told him to issue directives… and set a 90-day ultimatum: ‘Wipe out this rubbish or resign.’ And then take care of the supporters, the sponsors.”

Adeboye alleged that those backing terrorism are not unknown figures, but include wealthy individuals and political actors who operate behind the scenes while violence continues.

He urged the government to prioritize dismantling these networks, warning that failure to target sponsors would allow insecurity to persist.

“You know them. Some of them are businessmen. Some of them are politicians. Go after them. Because if you do not deal with those who are supplying these people with arms and ammunition… if we don’t go after the sponsors, the problem will continue,” he said.

He also called on the United States and other international partners to collaborate with Nigeria in strengthening the fight against terrorism and restoring national security.

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