The Continental Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Continent 3, Pastor Johnson Odesola, has defended the recent comments made by the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, insisting that the cleric’s remarks on Nigeria’s security situation were widely misunderstood and taken out of context.
In a statement titled, “Pastor Adeboye Deserves Fair Hearing, Not Unfair Criticism,” Odesola said many Nigerians formed opinions based on short social media clips rather than listening to the full speech delivered by Pastor Adeboye at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C.
According to Odesola, Pastor Adeboye never denied the worsening insecurity in Nigeria. Instead, he acknowledged that terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping have spread beyond the northern region to several parts of Southern Nigeria.
He explained that Adeboye’s statement that Nigerians should not expect President Bola Tinubu to “wear khaki and go and fight” was not an attempt to defend the government but rather a reminder of the constitutional role of the Commander-in-Chief.
“He did not defend failure. He simply reminded Nigerians that political leaders provide direction while military professionals execute operations,” Odesola stated.
He further noted that Pastor Adeboye called on security agencies to deliver results and stressed the need to identify and prosecute those financing terrorism.
According to Odesola, the General Overseer emphasized that terrorists cannot operate without sponsors who provide funding, weapons, logistics, intelligence, and political protection.
Responding to critics who questioned why a religious leader should comment on national security, Odesola maintained that spiritual leaders have historically provided moral guidance during national crises, citing biblical examples of prophets and servants of God who advised kings and confronted injustice.
He added that Pastor Adeboye has consistently prayed for Nigeria and offered constructive counsel to successive administrations regardless of political affiliation.
While acknowledging that Nigerians have the right to disagree with the cleric's views, Odesola urged the public to avoid distorting his statements, stressing that the country's insecurity should not be politicized but addressed through collective responsibility involving government, security agencies, the judiciary, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and citizens.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to focus on Pastor Adeboye's core message—the need for decisive leadership, accountability, national unity, and sustained action against terrorism and its sponsors.