Pastor Adeboye deserves fair hearing, not unfair criticism

There is a saying that has stood the test of time: “When a wise man points at the moon, only a fool stares at the finger.” Sadly, that is exactly what has happened in the wake of Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s recent comments on Nigeria’s security situation. Instead of reflecting on the substance of his message, many have chosen to attack the messenger.

At the US–Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C., Adeboye spoke about Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and responded to criticisms directed at President Bola  Tinubu. Within hours, social media erupted. Headlines screamed that the respected cleric was defending the President. Some even accused him of abandoning the suffering masses.

But did Adeboye really say what his critics claim he said?

Anyone who carefully listens to his full remarks, instead of relying on snippets circulating on social media, will arrive at a different conclusion.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God did not deny that Nigeria is facing one of the most difficult security challenges in its history. In fact, he admitted the exact opposite. He acknowledged that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping have become more widespread and have spread beyond the northern part of the country into several southern states. Those are not the words of a man pretending that all is well.

What Adeboye simply reminded Nigerians is that every institution operates through a chain of command. A commander-in-chief gives directives, formulates policy, appoints commanders and provides the resources needed to prosecute a war. He does not personally carry a rifle into the battlefield.

His statement that “You don’t expect the President to wear khaki and go and fight” was never an attempt to excuse failure. It was simply a statement of fact.

The same principle applies everywhere in the world. No American President personally leads troops into battle. No British Prime Minister commands military operations from the trenches. Political leaders provide direction, while military professionals execute operations.

That is why it is surprising that many critics conveniently ignored the most important part of Adeboye’s statement.

He disclosed that he personally advised Tinubu to give military commanders a clear ultimatum: eliminate terrorism within ninety days or resign.

That sounds less like defending failure and more like demanding accountability.

Indeed, many Nigerians have repeatedly called for exactly this kind of performance-based leadership. If those entrusted with protecting lives and property are unable to deliver, then leadership demands that they either improve or make way for those who can.

Far from defending incompetence, Adeboye challenged those responsible for national security to produce results.

Even more significant was his emphasis on confronting those who sponsor terrorism.

This is perhaps the strongest part of his intervention.

Terrorists do not operate in isolation. They require money, weapons, logistics, intelligence and political protection. Every insurgent group survives because powerful individuals somewhere are financing its operations.

History has shown repeatedly that you cannot successfully fight terrorism by pursuing only those pulling the trigger. You must also pursue those supplying the bullets.

Pastor Adeboye was therefore right to insist that Nigeria must identify, expose and prosecute those funding violent groups. Until the financial lifeline of terrorism is cut off, military victories alone may only provide temporary relief.

That is not politics.

That is common sense.

Some have also questioned why a pastor should even comment on issues of national security.

That argument ignores both history and scripture.

Throughout biblical history, God’s servants never remained silent when nations faced a crisis. Moses confronted Pharaoh. Nathan challenged King David. Elijah spoke against Ahab. Daniel advised the kings in Babylon. Joseph became the architect of Egypt’s economic survival during the famine. John the Baptist confronted Herod despite knowing the danger involved.

A genuine spiritual leader does more than preach serm ons on Sundays. He prays for his nation, counsels leaders, comforts the hurting and speaks truth whenever necessary.

That is exactly what Pastor Adeboye has done throughout his ministry.

For decades, he has prayed publicly for Nigeria regardless of who occupied Aso Rock. Military rulers, civilian presidents and political parties have all benefited from his prayers and counsel. He has never built his ministry around political loyalty but around faith in God and love for Nigeria.

Of course, no citizen is compelled to agree with every opinion expressed by Adeboye. Democracy allows room for disagreement. But disagreement should never be based on distortion.

One can respectfully say, “I disagree with Adeboye’s assessment”, without falsely accusing him of endorsing insecurity or excusing government failure.

Unfortunately, today’s social media culture thrives on outrage rather than understanding. A sixty-second video clip often replaces a thirty-minute speech. Headlines become more important than facts. Emotion frequently triumphs over reason.

The result is predictable: people react before they reflect.

Nigeria’s insecurity is too painful and too costly for us to reduce every conversation to political warfare.

Across the country, families have buried loved ones. Farmers have abandoned their farms. Children have become orphans. Businesses have collapsed. Entire communities live under constant fear.

This is a national tragedy, not a political contest.

What Nigerians need today is collective responsibility.

The President must continue providing leadership.

Military commanders must deliver measurable results.

Intelligence agencies must become more proactive.

The judiciary must ensure that terrorists and their sponsors face justice.

Traditional rulers, community leaders and religious institutions must continue supporting efforts to restore peace.

Citizens must reject every form of collaboration with criminals.

This fight belongs to all of us.

Rather than condemn Adeboye, perhaps we should pay closer attention to the heart of his message. He acknowledged that insecurity has worsened. He challenged the President to hold security chiefs accountable. He demanded decisive action against terrorism. He urged the government to pursue those financing violence. He called for international cooperation in defeating a common enemy.

Those are not the words of a man defending failure.

They are the words of a patriot who desperately wants Nigeria to become safe again.

Adeboye is now in his 80s. He has spent more than four decades praying for this nation, counselling leaders, comforting victims, raising millions of believers and preaching peace across continents. Whether one agrees with every statement he makes or not, his lifetime of integrity deserves fairness, respect and honest engagement.

Nigeria needs fewer manufactured controversies and more sincere conversations. We need less outrage and more wisdom. We need fewer attempts to score political points and more determination to defeat those who daily shed innocent blood.

Adeboye’s remarks were not a defence of insecurity. They were a call for decisive leadership, accountability and national unity in the face of one of the greatest threats to our collective existence.

Instead of twisting his words, we should embrace the spirit behind them—a sincere desire to see a secure, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

At a time when our nation desperately needs healing, wisdom and unity, that is a message worth hearing.

• Pastor Johnson Odesola is the Continental Overseer for RCCG Continent 3