By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against criticism over insecurity, saying the President has fulfilled his responsibility as Commander-in-Chief by issuing directives to the nation’s security chiefs.
Speaking during a church programme, Adeboye said he disagreed with those accusing Tinubu of not doing enough to address the country’s security challenges.
“I don’t support those who are saying President Tinubu has not done enough,” he said. “When the Commander-in-Chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his best. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki.”
The cleric disclosed that Tinubu recently met with senior military officers but said the content of the meeting was exclusively within the President’s constitutional powers.
“President Tinubu called a meeting of the big officers. What he told them, I don’t know, and I don’t need to know because he is the Commander-in-Chief. When the Commander-in-Chief gives instructions to his subordinates, who are you to be there?” he said.
Adeboye argued that it was the responsibility of security agencies not the President to execute military operations once directives had been issued.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, he said presidential leadership should not be measured by physical participation in military operations.
“When President Trump gives instructions to bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House. He has done his best. It is left for his subordinates to carry out the command,” he said.
The cleric maintained that he was unaware of the specific directives given by Tinubu to military commanders but expressed confidence that the President had acted within his constitutional mandate.
“What President Tinubu told the military officers, I don’t know,” he said.
Adeboye also referred to developments in the Middle East, saying the conflict involving Iran had added to global security concerns.
“On Christmas Day, a bomb landed maybe just to let us know what I am saying. Then, of course, the Iran war surfaced, and I think he is still busy dealing with that,” he added.
