By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly, wisely, and diplomatically in addressing mounting concerns over what has been described as an alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Speaking during the November Holy Ghost Service with the theme: “The Eve of Glory,” at the Redemption City campground, Adeboye urged the Federal Government to adopt a balanced and strategic approach in tackling the country’s worsening security situation.
“If I am asked to make suggestions, I will say quietly to the governments to move wisely, diplomatically,” he said. “I have cousins. There were times in Nigeria when Christians and Muslims lived peacefully together.
“I still have Muslim family members today. When I was little, I ate sari with them, and I still share breakfast with them. The issue of religion started when politics entered religion.”
Adeboye revealed that he had offered private counsel to past presidents on matters of national security and religious harmony but emphasised that such advice had limitations.
“All the presidents who were around when this trouble started — whatever I discussed with them is top privacy. I have done my best behind the scenes.
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“As I have always said, you can only advise a Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. But I have tried. God is my witness.”
The revered cleric outlined the steps he would recommend if given the opportunity to advise the government again.
“What should we do now? If I were 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 a similar directive issued by former President Muhammadu Buhari, lamenting that it was not effectively implemented.
“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 gave the command but failed to follow up.
“The work wasn’t done after three months, so I went to see him. I asked, ‘Why didn’t you carry out your threat?’ One thing came out of that meeting which will lead me to this advice.”
The Ifewara-born cleric further urged President Tinubu to extend any future directive beyond the insurgents themselves to include those funding and supporting them.
“When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, he should make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists but also the sponsors, no matter how influential they may be.”
The cleric also warned that Nigeria must tread carefully in its diplomatic engagements with global powers, stressing that no foreign nation would come to the country’s defence in the event of an international conflict.
“When I say our leaders should move diplomatically, we must understand that if America attacks us, China will not come to defend us.
“Likewise Russia and Britain. All these so-called world powers will talk and condemn what America has done, but they won’t help us.”
The former lecturer at the University of Lagos maintained that the present situation required immediate action rather than prolonged debate or denial.
“This is not the time to joke. This is not the time for grammar, not the time to argue whether it’s suicide or kidnap. It’s not the time to say it’s not Christians alone, that Muslims are also affected. Innocent people are dying.”
He disclosed that he was almost compelled to respond publicly after hearing a recent speech by President Tinubu, whom he fondly referred to as his in-law, especially the part that painted an overly optimistic picture of the security situation in the country.
“I almost spoke last month when I heard the speech of my in-law (Tinubu), particularly the section that spoke about security.
“He said all is well now and 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.”
The octogenarian acknowledged that the Tinubu administration inherited a deeply rooted crisis but insisted that the focus must now be on practical solutions.
“Our President inherited this problem. I am an applied mathematician; I am only interested in getting the problem solved.”
Reiterating his earlier call for diplomacy, he advised that the Nigerian government should engage U.S. President Donald Trump to allow a temporary reprieve while holding security chiefs accountable for tangible results.
“Let the government use diplomatic means 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?”
He concluded his message with hope, reminding the congregation that God’s promise of peace still stands despite the turbulent times.
“I shared with you, my children, that God said this will be a remarkable year — that the wind blowing last year will be more violent this year.
“Any time we have meetings like this, God picks the topic. Next week, we’ll be having the Holy Ghost Service in Abuja.
“He gave us the theme ‘Fear Not’ months ago before Trump spoke. One way or another, there will be peace again in Nigeria.”
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