Trending 
10th July 2026
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed agreement with the position of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, that President Bola Tinubu has done what is constitutionally expected of him as Commander-in-Chief by directing the nation’s security agencies. However, Obi stressed that solving Nigeria’s problems requires far more than presidential directives.
The comments follow widespread reactions to Pastor Adeboye’s remarks at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C., where he defended President Tinubu against criticism over worsening insecurity. The respected cleric argued that once the Commander-in-Chief issues operational directives to the military and security agencies, he has fulfilled his constitutional responsibility and should not be expected to personally lead troops into battle.
Responding to the controversy, Peter Obi publicly supported Adeboye, saying the cleric’s comments had been widely misunderstood and taken out of context. According to Obi, the pastor was simply explaining the constitutional limits of the office of the President rather than offering a blanket endorsement of the administration’s performance. Obi described Adeboye as a respected statesman whose lifelong commitment to peace, national unity and reconciliation deserves fairness rather than political attacks.
Obi maintained that while the President has responsibilities under the Constitution, Nigeria’s long-term transformation cannot depend solely on any individual occupying Aso Rock. He argued that rebuilding the country requires collective effort from citizens, institutions, political leaders and especially the younger generation.
“The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the youth,” Obi said, urging Nigerians to focus on nation-building instead of expecting elderly leaders or religious figures to shoulder responsibilities that belong to the entire society.
Pastor Adeboye’s original remarks generated intense public debate after some critics interpreted them as a defence of the Tinubu administration’s handling of insecurity. However, senior RCCG officials later clarified that the cleric was not suggesting that insecurity had been defeated. Rather, they said he was explaining the constitutional role of the President as Commander-in-Chief, who gives strategic directives while security agencies execute military operations.
The exchange has once again highlighted the highly charged political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections, where statements by prominent religious leaders, opposition figures and government officials are increasingly scrutinised through political lenses.
Although Obi agreed with Adeboye’s constitutional interpretation of the President’s role, he has continued to criticise the Tinubu administration on issues including insecurity, governance, economic hardship and public accountability, insisting that Nigerians deserve better outcomes despite acknowledging the constitutional framework within which the President operates.
