General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has spoken about the intricate relationships between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.
According to him, there are Muslims in his family till date.
He, however, urged President Bola Tinubu to order his service chiefs to destroy terrorists within 90 days or resign.
Adeboye spoke in the context of the Christian genocide that President Donald Trump of America alleged in Nigeria.
Adeboye dwelled on the matter on Friday, during the November Holy Ghost Service while reacting to recent threats issued by US President Donald Trump.
“If I am asked to make suggestions, I will say quietly to the governments to move wisely, diplomatically,” he said. “I have cousins. There were times in Nigeria when Christians and Muslims were living together. I have families that are Muslims till date. When I was little, I ate sari with them, and I still eat my breakfast, but the issue of religion started when politics came into religion.
“This is not the time for apportioning blame. Our President inherited this problem — it started before him,” he said.
Adeboye cautioned that if the US eventually invades Nigeria, China, Russia, and other world powers would not come to the country’s defence.
“They would only talk,” he warned.
Adeboye explained that he had previously advised past presidents privately on security and religious matters but emphasised that such efforts were limited since only the Commander-in-Chief has the power to take decisive action.
“All the presidents who were around when this trouble started, whatever I discussed is top privacy. I have done my best behind the scene, but as I have always told you, you can only advise a Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. But I have tried. God is my witness.”
The cleric then outlined what he would do if given the opportunity to advise the government again.
He recalled a similar directive issued by former President Muhammadu Buhari, which he said was not effectively followed through.
“There was a President, Buhari, who issued such an order. He called the service chiefs together and said, ‘Get rid of these Boko Haram people or resign.’ He ran with that advice but he did not follow through because he gave the order as the Commander, but he did not follow up. The work was not done after three months, so I went to see him. I asked him, ‘Why did you not proceed with your threat?’ One thing came out of the meeting which will lead me to the advice.”
Adeboye further advised that any new order from President Tinubu to the military should go beyond fighting insurgents to targeting their financiers and backers.
“When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, he should make it clear to them they are not only to eliminate the terrorists but also eliminate the sponsors, no matter how influential they may be.”
He also cautioned that Nigeria should tread carefully in its diplomatic dealings with global powers, warning that no foreign nation would come to its rescue if conflict escalates.
“When I say our leaders should move diplomatically, we must take note of the fact that if America should attack us, China is not coming to defend us. Likewise Russia and Britain. All the so-called world leaders, they will talk and condemn what America has done, but they won’t help us.”
Adeboye emphasised that the moment called for action rather than debate or excuses.
