The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges with urgency and diplomatic tact, while responding to concerns recently raised by United States President Donald Trump.
Speaking after the November Holy Ghost Service of the church, themed “The Eve of Glory,” Pastor Adeboye stressed the sanctity of every human life and advised the Federal Government to give security chiefs a 90-day ultimatum to decisively eliminate terrorist groups or face dismissal.
The revered cleric noted that he had given similar counsel to the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari but lamented that, despite initial progress, the efforts were not sustained to achieve lasting peace.
He further urged the government to identify and expose the sponsors of terrorism and insurgency across the country, regardless of their influence.
Adeboye also appealed to President Tinubu to engage diplomatically with the U.S. President to secure a 100-day grace period before any international action is taken against Nigeria, saying this window should be used to eradicate terrorism once and for all.
“In my usual quiet way, I have related with all the presidents who were around when this trouble started. Whatever I discussed with them privately, I did my best behind the scenes. But you can only advise the Commander-in-Chief — you can’t command him,” Adeboye said.
“If I were asked to make suggestions, I would say to our government: move fast, move diplomatically, move wisely. Find a way to convince the President of America to delay his actions for about 100 days. Then come home and tell our security chiefs to get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign.
“There was a president — unfortunately, he’s dead now — Buhari, who issued such an order. He is not here to tell you who gave him that advice. He acted on it but didn’t follow through. Three months passed and the work was not done. I asked him why he didn’t proceed, but I won’t tell you the details.
“My next advice is that when giving orders to the service chiefs, the President should make it clear that they must not only eliminate the terrorists but also their sponsors, no matter how powerful they are.
“When I say our leaders should move fast, diplomatically, and wisely, it’s because if America attacks us, China, Russia, and other world powers will condemn it strongly but that’s all they’ll do. Britain won’t come to help us. No foreign power will.
“This is not the time for jokes, grammar, or arguments. It’s not about Christians or Muslims — innocent people are dying,” he warned.
