The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against criticism over the country’s security challenges, saying it is unrealistic to expect the President to personally lead military operations.
Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23, Adeboye said critics who accuse Tinubu of not doing enough to tackle insecurity are unfair in their assessment of the responsibilities of a Commander-in-Chief.
“I don’t support those who are accusing the President of not doing enough,” Adeboye said.
According to the cleric, once the Commander-in-Chief has issued directives to the nation’s security agencies, he has fulfilled his constitutional responsibility.
“When the Commander-in-Chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to put on khaki and go to the battlefield,” he stated.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, Adeboye referenced Donald Trump, saying American presidents do not personally participate in military operations after issuing orders.
“When my friend Trump gives instructions to go and bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House. He has done his bit. He gives the order, and the rest is left to those responsible for carrying it out,” he said.
Adeboye added that he was not privy to the specific directives President Tinubu had given to Nigeria’s military leadership but maintained that responsibility for executing security operations rests with the armed forces.
“So what he told the military officers, I don’t know. All I know is that on Christmas Day, a bomb landed maybe just to let us know that they are around. I mean what I’m saying,” he added.
