Give service chiefs 90 days to crush terrorists, Adeboye tells Tinubu

Give service chiefs 90 days to crush terrorists, Adeboye tells Tinubu

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive, wise, and diplomatic steps in addressing what he described as an alleged Christian genocide and worsening insecurity across Nigeria.

Speaking during the November Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption City campground, Adeboye advised the Federal Government to handle the situation with “balance and strategic foresight,” stressing that political and religious tensions must be approached with care.

“If I am asked to make suggestions, I will say quietly to the government to move wisely and diplomatically,” Adeboye said. “There were times in Nigeria when Christians and Muslims lived peacefully together. I have Muslim relatives and still share meals with them, but the trouble started when politics entered religion.”

The cleric revealed that he had offered private counsel to past presidents on similar issues but noted that only the Commander-in-Chief can act on such advice.

“All the presidents who were around when this trouble started, whatever I discussed with them remains confidential. I have done my best behind the scenes, but as I always say, you can only advise a Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. God is my witness,” he said.

Adeboye outlined what he would recommend if given another opportunity to advise the current administration.

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“If I were to advise our government, I would say: move fast, move diplomatically, and move wisely. Find a way to convince the President of America to delay his actions for about 100 days. Then, instruct our security chiefs to eliminate terrorists within 90 days or resign.”

He recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari once gave a similar directive but failed to ensure compliance.

“Buhari once ordered the service chiefs to get rid of Boko Haram or resign, but he didn’t follow through. I asked him later why he didn’t proceed with his threat,” he recounted.

The cleric further advised Tinubu to ensure that efforts to defeat insurgents also target those funding them.

“When giving orders to the service chiefs, make it clear that they are not only to eliminate terrorists but also their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be,” he said.

Adeboye warned that Nigeria must exercise caution in its foreign relations, noting that no major power would defend the country in the event of external aggression.

“If America attacks us, China will not come to our defense. Neither will Russia or Britain. They will condemn it but do nothing,” he cautioned.

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The respected cleric expressed disappointment with what he described as misleading reports about security improvements in Nigeria, referencing a recent presidential statement.

“I almost spoke last month when I heard the speech of my in-law (Tinubu) saying all is well and displaced people had returned home. The person who wrote that speech does not like him. People around him are not telling him the truth,” he said.

Adeboye acknowledged that Tinubu inherited a deeply rooted security challenge but urged him to focus on solutions rather than rhetoric.

“Our President inherited this problem. As an applied mathematician, I am only interested in getting the problem solved,” he said.

Reiterating his call for diplomacy and accountability, Adeboye appealed to the government to seek international understanding and ensure effective leadership within the military.

“Let the government use diplomatic channels to convince Trump to give us 100 days of grace and then hold the service chiefs accountable. They must deliver within three months or resign,” he added.

He ended his message on a note of faith, expressing confidence that peace would eventually return to the country.

“God said this would be a remarkable year, even though the wind may be violent. The theme for our next Holy Ghost service is ‘Fear Not.’ One way or the other, there will be peace again in Nigeria.”

Give service chiefs 90 days to crush terrorists, Adeboye tells Tinubu