The General Overseer of 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, “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.