₦airaland Forum

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says young Nigerians should not expect Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), to shoulder the responsibility of rebuilding the nation at 84 years of age.

Obi shared his thoughts in a Thursday post on X, urging the youths to resist attempts by “self-centred” politicians to spark ethnic tension in the country.

The development comes amid social media claims that Adeboye publicly protested during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan but has remained silent as economic hardship and insecurity ravage Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu.

The church had dismissed the claim on Tuesday, explaining that the photograph being peddled online was taken during a nationwide peace walk organised by churches, following a directive from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Obi described Adeboye as one of Nigeria’s foremost fathers of faith, noting that the cleric had spent decades preaching peace, love, reconciliation and national unity.

“Even when faced with provocation, his response has always reflected humility, restraint, wisdom and grace,” he said.

“At 84 years of age, it would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them.

“The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation.


“It is their duty to lead the conversations, champion the reforms, and drive the positive change our nation urgently requires.”

‘FOLLOW FACTS – RESIST MANIPULATION’

The former governor of Anambra warned against efforts to exploit ethnic and religious divisions, saying similar tactics had emerged after the 2023 presidential poll.

He said public conversations that ought to have centred on governance, competence and national development were instead diverted towards tribal sentiments and suspicion among citizens.

“Many sincere and well-meaning Nigerians participated in these conversations without realising that they were being drawn into narratives carefully designed by others,” Obi said.

“Their calculation is simple: a divided people are easier to manipulate than a united people.”

Obi cautioned against becoming tools in the hands of those promoting division under the guise of unity.

“We must be careful not to become instruments in the hands of those who secretly nurture division while publicly preaching unity,” he said.

“In most cases, their target is not the individual being attacked; instead, it is the person who is attacking. Their real objective is to weaken the bonds that hold us together as one people and one nation.”

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate urged young Nigerians to reject attempts to incite hatred and manipulate their ethnic or religious identities.

“I therefore urge all young Nigerians: do not allow anyone to recruit you into hatred. Do not allow anyone to weaponise your ethnicity, your faith, or your admiration for respected leaders,” he said.

“Question every narrative. Verify every claim. Follow the facts. Resist manipulation.

“The Nigeria of our dreams can only be built by citizens who refuse to be divided, who choose unity over hatred, and who place our collective future above narrow interests.”

‘ELIMINATE TERRORISTS IN 90 DAYS OR RESIGN’

Meanwhile, as criticism of Adeboye gained traction on social media, Mike Bamiloye, founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, also defended the popular pastor on Wednesday.

He said it was unreasonable to expect Adeboye to lead protests against the government, adding that the RCCG general overseer had publicly spoken against insecurity and violence in the past, but many bloggers chose not to amplify his comments.

In response to the worsening security situation, the cleric urged Nigeria’s security chiefs to eliminate terrorists within 90 days or resign.

In a recent video posted on the church’s X handle on Tuesday, Adeboye called on the federal government to act swiftly in tackling the country’s security challenges.

The development comes amid growing public concern over the spate of violent attacks reported across the country in recent days.

On Wednesday, gunmen abducted Olaide John-Paul, sister of Adebayo Adelabu, former minister of power, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

On Sunday, four people were killed when gunmen attacked the convoy of Ben Nwankwo, chief of staff to Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra.

2010 Dec 18
President Goodluck Jonathan talks to Nigerian Christians at the 13th Holy Ghost Congress of The Redeemed Christian Church of God.

2012 Dec 17
Years after his first visit, President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday night worshiped with thousands at the 15th edition of the Holy Ghost Congress organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, at the Redemption Camp, along the Lagos Ibadan expressway.

Speaking at the programme, Dr Jonathan once again assured Nigerians of tackling the challenges facing the country, explaining that his administration is doing the right thing to improve on the challenges that the country currently is facing.

In his address to the congregation, the president admitted that the nation's power sector and security are not impressive as they are, but he gave the assurance that his administration is putting the right structures in place to enhance an appropriate reform.

2014 Feb 16
The Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday called on Christian faithful to pray for the peace of the nation.

He made the call while worshiping at the Olive Tree Parish of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Banana Island, Ikoyi Lagos, alongside the General Overseer of the Church, Enoch Adeboye.

The things we find! I don't expect Pastor Adeboye to endorse ANYBODY, but, as endorsements go, you can't get one better than this one he gave Prof. Osinbajo last year. In front of Mr. President as well! God moves mysteriously...

2015 Jan 5
The Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (ACP), Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has expressed optimism that his party, if given an opportunity to govern Nigeria, would bring the needed change at a period that "the entire nation is tired of the state of things".

Professor Osinbajo, who is also a pastor, said that the state of the nation had presented the APC with a chance that had never been, saying "it is the best that has ever been".

Giving his political aspirations, his party's manifesto and how it would be achieved, the Professor said that there was no difference in the roles that he played as a pastor, professor and politician.

"The reason I function as a pastor is essentially because I want to touch the lives of as many people as possible with the love of Jesus Christ and we must, in every situation we find ourselves, be able to help the poor, be able to help those who can't help themselves and stand up for justice.

"I will do same as a political leader. All of these roles must be played in the same way and with the same motivation. As far as I am concerned, it is all the same," he said.

There have been claims that the presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, is a religious fundamentalist, but Professor Osinbajo dismissed the assertions, saying that "General Buhari is a very credible individual that does what he says".

2015 Feb 8
The President was last night at the monthly holy ghost service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at the Redemption camp in Lagos where he urged Nigerians to pray for hitch free general elections and for peace to reign in Nigeria.

2020 Feb 2
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday, led members of his church in a prayer walk against insecurity in Nigeria.

2020 Oct 4
The call for restructuring is getting louder with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, general overseer, Pastor Enoch ADEBOYE, analysts say, it may just be the panacea for the secession calls.

SlavaUkraini:
https://www.thecable.ng/obi-to-youths-dont-expect-adeboye-to-champion-change-at-84-resist-political-manipulation/

Okwyjesus:
Pastor Adeboye will not do the work youths should do.

He is not the one politician use to rig election. Youths are the one

newnigeriannew:
But leaders go to Adeboye for prayers, not to the youths. So, how do you want the youths to drive the change?

newnigeriannew:
But leaders go to Adeboye for prayers, not to the youths. So, how do you want the youths to drive the change?