The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate and decisive steps to address Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
Adeboye made the appeal during the church’s November Holy Ghost Service, themed “The Eve of Glory.” His comments come amid global attention on Nigeria following recent warnings by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened potential military action in response to attacks on Christians in the country.
The revered cleric called on President Tinubu to set a 90-day deadline for the nation’s security chiefs to eliminate terrorism and insurgency or face dismissal. He also advised the government to expose and prosecute sponsors of terrorism, regardless of their social or political influence.
“If I were asked to make suggestions, I would say to our government: move fast, move diplomatically, move wisely,” Adeboye said.
“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.”
Adeboye disclosed that he had offered similar counsel to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who once issued a comparable ultimatum but failed to enforce it.
He warned that Nigeria must act decisively to avoid potential foreign military intervention, stressing that while other world powers such as China and Russia may verbally condemn a U.S. strike, they are unlikely to come to Nigeria’s defense.
“This is not the time for jokes, grammar, or arguments. It’s not about Christians or Muslims — innocent people are dying,” he said.
Adeboye emphasized the need for diplomacy in managing relations with the United States and urged President Tinubu to appeal directly to Trump for a 100-day grace period to demonstrate progress in restoring security before any external action is considered.
LegalObserver Analysis
Pastor Adeboye’s intervention underscores the growing intersection between religious influence and national security policy in Nigeria. His call for executive accountability and diplomatic engagement aligns with constitutional obligations under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
The cleric’s warning also raises questions about the limits of foreign intervention under international law, particularly regarding sovereignty, consent, and the principle of non-interference. Should the U.S. proceed with unilateral action, it could provoke a major legal and geopolitical test for Nigeria’s foreign policy establishment.
