Rallying Call from a Spiritual Leader
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has publicly challenged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action against terrorism in Nigeria. In a message that blends moral urgency with pragmatic governance, Adeboye urged the president to command the service chiefs to defeat terrorists within 90 days or resign. The call comes amid rising concerns about security, violence, and the perceived vulnerability of Christian communities in parts of the country.
Adeboye’s appeal is framed as a plea for bold leadership and clear accountability in a time of escalating violence. He emphasized the need for a strategy that is not only firm but also diplomatically nuanced, balancing military effectiveness with the protection of civilians and constitutional norms. The pastor’s message underscores a broader anxiety about the state’s ability to protect all Nigerians and maintain national cohesion in the face of terror threats.
Context: Security and Religious Tension in Nigeria
Nigeria has grappled with multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and inter-communal violence. For many Nigerians, the plight of Christians in affected regions has raised concerns about targeted attacks, displacement, and long-term humanitarian needs. Adeboye’s counsel taps into a larger discourse about state security, religious freedom, and the right to live without fear. While issuing such a demand publicly is uncommon for a religious leader of his stature, it signals a demand for visible results from a government navigating a difficult security landscape.
What Adeboye Is Asking For: 90 Days to a Clear Outcome
The 90-day deadline, as proposed by Adeboye, is meant to create urgency and accountability within the security apparatus and the administration. Critics of quick, deadline-driven strategies argue that terrorism is a complex problem requiring comprehensive, multi-layered solutions. Proponents, however, stress that a time-bound objective can focus resources, coordinate interagency efforts, and send a
strong signal to both domestic and international observers that the government is serious about reversing a dangerous trend. Adeboye’s call also implies a review of existing roles, capabilities, and leadership within Nigeria’s security agencies—an assessment that would consider intelligence sharing, logistics, and civilian protection as core components of any effective plan.
Diplomacy, Not Rhetoric: A Call for Smart Leadership
Beyond a blunt dismissal, Adeboye’s approach encourages Tinubu to pursue a strategy that blends military effectiveness with policy coherence—including policing reforms, counter-extremism programs, and community engagement. The emphasis on diplomatic tact acknowledges Nigeria’s regional and international partners and the need to balance security gains with human rights and democratic norms.
Public and Political Reactions
As with any high-profile appeal to a sitting president, responses are likely to be mixed. Supporters may praise the pastor for taking a moral stance and offering a concrete benchmark for action. Critics might argue that a 90-day window could place undue pressure on security agencies or oversimplify a multifaceted threat. The conversation, however, centers on leadership accountability and the expectation that the government will safeguard all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity.
Looking Forward: What This Means for Nigeria
The broader implication of Adeboye’s statement is a renewed public focus on security governance—from appointing capable service chiefs to ensuring that anti-terrorism efforts protect civil liberties and the rule of law. Whether Tinubu accepts the call or frames an alternative plan, the discourse highlights a critical junction for Nigeria’s security policy. The country’s destiny depends not only on military capability but also on transparent leadership, sustained national dialogue, and inclusive strategies that reassure vulnerable communities while dismantling terrorist networks.
Conclusion
Pastor Adeboye’s appeal to Tinubu to command service chiefs to defeat terrorists in 90 days or resign reflects a moment of heightened public expectation for decisive leadership. It is a rallying call that blends moral urgency with a demand for measurable results, signaling that security, unity, and the protection of all Nigerians remain non-negotiable priorities for the nation’s leaders.
