- Debunks anti-Jonathan protest claims
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has clarified why its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, was seen carrying a placard in a viral photograph, dismissing claims that the image was linked to an alleged protest against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The church, in a statement issued on Tuesday via its Public Relations Department and shared on its official X handle, described the social media narrative as misleading and based on a misrepresentation of a historical photograph.
According to RCCG, the image was taken during a peaceful nationwide walk organised in compliance with a directive from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
RCCG stated that churches across the country were instructed to embark on peaceful walks after Sunday services to draw attention to the killing of Christians and call for stronger government action to protect lives and property.
The church noted that the walk in Ebute Metta, Lagos, where Pastor Adeboye was photographed carrying a placard, formed part of the nationwide exercise and had no connection whatsoever with Jonathan’s administration.
“It was neither organised against President Goodluck Jonathan nor connected in any way to his administration”, the statement said.
RCCG expressed concern that photographs from the event, which received extensive media coverage at the time, were being recycled years later and presented in a misleading context.
The church further clarified that Pastor Adeboye’s message during the walk centred on the sanctity of human life and the need to protect all Nigerians regardless of religious affiliation.
According to the statement, the cleric’s placard reflected the belief that every life matters to God and called for the protection of both Christians and Muslims.
Addressing criticisms that Pastor Adeboye had not spoken strongly enough on national issues, RCCG said it was unrealistic to expect the cleric to direct the President or the First Lady on matters of governance.
“Pastor Adeboye is a clergyman, not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” the church stated.
It, however, stressed that the 84-year-old cleric has continued to speak on national concerns, including insecurity in the country.
The statement recalled that during the November 2025 Holy Ghost Service, Pastor Adeboye publicly advised the President on the worsening security situation and the continued killing of innocent Nigerians by terrorists.
RCCG noted that the cleric warned that urgent action was required to prevent foreign intervention under the guise of terrorism concerns.
He also urged the government to hold security chiefs accountable in addressing insecurity, stating: “When they eliminate the terrorists, ask them to eliminate their sponsors too.”
The church emphasised that Pastor Adeboye’s role remains that of providing spiritual leadership, moral guidance, and counsel within the limits of his calling as a minister of the Gospel.
It reiterated that neither Pastor Adeboye nor RCCG is responsible for Nigeria’s current challenges, stressing that the church is not a political organisation and does not serve as the religious arm of any political party.