The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has supported recent comments by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, that President Bola Tinubu has done his best in tackling insecurity.
However, Obi questioned whether the President’s efforts are enough to solve Nigeria’s security challenges. He said the country needs leadership with greater capacity to deliver results.
The former Anambra State governor made the comments during an interview with journalist Chude Jideonwo. Chude Jideonwo uploaded the interview on YouTube on Thursday.
During the interview, Obi responded to questions about why Nigerians should support his presidential ambition over other opposition candidates.
He said voters should assess his past achievements and compare them with his plans for the country.
On Adeboye’s comments about Tinubu’s handling of insecurity, Obi said the cleric was right to say the President had made efforts.
“Pastor Adeboye remains a very revered, respected religious father, whom I believe in his genuineness and goodness,” Obi said.
He added that saying Tinubu had tried his best was “the correct answer.” However, he argued that the key question is whether the President’s best can meet Nigeria’s current needs.
According to Obi, leadership involves more than trying. He said effective leadership requires competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character.
He said Nigeria’s worsening security situation shows the need for stronger leadership and better decision-making.
“When I talk about leadership, I say competence, capacity, compassion, commitment, character. These are the issues,” Obi said.
He added, “President Tinubu is tired. He needs to go home and rest.”
Adeboye earlier defended President Tinubu against criticism over insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala, which the Save Nigeria Group organised in Washington, D.C., the cleric said it was unfair to accuse the President of failing to act.
He explained that the commander-in-chief does not need to personally participate in military operations after giving orders to security officials.
“I don’t support those who are accusing the president of not doing enough. When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and fight,” Adeboye said.
Despite defending Tinubu, Adeboye expressed concern about Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
He said terrorism and kidnapping have spread beyond northern Nigeria and now affect other parts of the country.
The RCCG leader said he advised the President to give military commanders a 90-day deadline to end insecurity or resign.
He also urged the government to identify and target sponsors of terrorism, saying authorities know those responsible.
Obi and Adeboye’s comments have continued to attract reactions as insecurity and leadership remain major issues in Nigeria’s political discussions.
