Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has advised President Bola Tinubu to urgently initiate diplomatic engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump, following recent threats of possible American intervention over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
“Whoever wrote your October 1 speech doesn’t like you, Pastor Adeboye tells Tinubu”
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has criticised a section of President Bola Tinubu’s October 1 Independence Day speech on security, saying whoever wrote the speech for the president “does not like him.”
Speaking during the November Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption City Campground, Adeboye said, “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 noted that while the President inherited Nigeria’s security challenges, the focus should now be on taking decisive action to resolve them.
“Our President inherited this problem. I am an applied mathematician; I am only interested in getting the problem solved.”
He also urged the Federal Government to move wisely, diplomatically, and decisively in addressing insecurity and the alleged killings of Christians in some parts of the country.
“If I am asked to make suggestions, I will say quietly to the governments to move wisely, diplomatically. 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.”
The cleric said he had privately advised past presidents on the security crisis but noted that his role was limited to offering counsel.
“All the presidents who were around when this trouble started, whatever I discussed is top privacy. I have done my best behind the scenes, 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.”
Adeboye also called on Tinubu to take firm steps against terrorism by holding the service chiefs accountable for results.
“What should we do now? If I was asked to make suggestions, I would 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 directive but did not 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. 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.”
He further stressed that the fight against terrorism must include efforts to dismantle the networks financing it.
“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.”
Adeboye warned that Nigeria should tread carefully in its international dealings, noting that no global power would defend the country in a crisis.
“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 said this was not a time for political debates but for practical action to protect lives.
“This is not the time to joke. This is not the time for grammar, not time to argue, is it suicide or kidnapping? This is not the time to say it’s not Christians alone; Muslims are also involved. Innocent people are dying.”
Adeboye also urged the government to seek diplomatic means to buy time and strengthen its internal security response.
“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?”
Trump had directed the U.S. Department of Defence to prepare for “possible action” if the Nigerian government fails to address what he described as widespread killings of Christians. The Federal Government has repeatedly denied claims of religious persecution, insisting that insecurity affects all communities.
“If I were asked to advise, I would say our leaders should move fast, move diplomatically, and move wisely,” Adeboye said. “Find a way to convince the President of America to delay his actions for about 100 days. Then return home and direct our security chiefs to get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign.”
Adeboye warned that Nigeria cannot depend on foreign powers for support if tensions with the U.S. escalate.
“If America attacks Nigeria, China, Russia or others may condemn it, but that will be all. No country will come to fight for us,” he stated. “This is not about Christians or Muslims. Innocent people are dying daily. We need urgent action.”
His remarks follow China’s statement earlier this week cautioning the U.S. against any interference in Nigeria’s domestic affairs.
‘Some people are not telling the President the truth’
Adeboye also criticised parts of President Tinubu’s Independence Day address, in which the government claimed that displaced persons in conflict zones were returning home.
“I almost reacted publicly when I heard that claim,” Adeboye said. “I believe the person who wrote that speech does not like the President. Because the very next day, a traditional ruler was killed.”
The cleric stressed that Tinubu inherited an already deteriorating security environment but must now focus on delivering real solutions.
“I am not here to blame anyone,” he said. “I am an applied mathematician, I care about solving the problem.”
Adeboye noted that Nigeria enjoyed religious harmony in the past and urged leaders to work toward restoring national unity and peace.
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