RCCG OVERSEER URGES PUBLIC NOT TO PRESSURE ADEBOYE TO SPEAK AGAINST TINUBU
Read Time:3 Minute, 53 Second
By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Continental Overseer of Continent 3, covering South West Nigeria and the Middle East, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Joseph Odesola, has urged Nigerians to stop pressuring the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to publicly criticise President Bola Tinubu.
Odesola said Adeboye would address the nation’s political and economic situation whenever he believed it was appropriate to do so.
He expressed the position in an article published by Impact Nigeria on Monday and shared on his X page with the caption, “Pastor E.A. Adeboye Will Speak Only When God Says Speak.”
According to Odesola, there has been increasing pressure on religious leaders, particularly Adeboye, to comment on the Tinubu administration, with some Nigerians seemingly expecting the cleric to deliver statements that align with their political positions.
He said some people wanted Adeboye to condemn Tinubu, use strong language against the President or make religious pronouncements against his administration.
Odesola, however, argued that such expectations were inconsistent with the conduct expected of a responsible religious leader.
He maintained that Adeboye had built his reputation over decades by speaking from conviction, prayer and spiritual discernment and should not be compelled to speak simply because the public demanded it.
“There is a difference between speaking because the crowd is shouting and speaking because one has something meaningful to say. There is also a difference between political commentary and prophetic responsibility,” he said.
The RCCG overseer said Adeboye could choose to speak, pray, offer counsel or remain silent depending on what he believed was appropriate.
Citing Ecclesiastes 3:1, which speaks of a time for every purpose under heaven, Odesola stressed that there was a time to speak and a time to remain silent.
He also cautioned against attempts to turn religious leaders into instruments for advancing political interests.
“A genuine servant of God should not become the mouthpiece of any political camp,” he said.
Odesola argued that the church should be able to hold those in power accountable without turning itself into a political party or opposition platform.
He added that Adeboye should not be pressured to attack Tinubu merely because some people believe that doing so would demonstrate courage or boldness.
According to him, criticism does not have to be expressed through insults, anger or inflammatory statements to be effective.
“Truth does not become more powerful because it is delivered with insults. A curse does not become a prophecy simply because it is pronounced from a pulpit. And anger should never be mistaken for spiritual authority,” he said.
The cleric further maintained that religious authority should not be measured by titles or the expectations of the public, noting that spiritual responsibility remained personal.
He cited biblical figures including Moses, David, Amos and John the Baptist to illustrate that the influence of a messenger was determined by the message entrusted to them rather than their human titles.
Odesola also said Adeboye did not need to make sensational statements to prove his courage or satisfy social media expectations.
“Pastor Adeboye does not need to perform for social media. He does not need to say something sensational simply because Nigerians are waiting for a headline,” he said.
He acknowledged that Nigerians needed religious leaders to speak on pressing issues, including insecurity, poverty, unemployment, rising living costs, education, healthcare and declining public trust.
However, he urged religious leaders to address such matters responsibly and without political bias.
“Nigeria needs voices that can tell the government the truth without hatred. We need voices that can challenge opposition politicians without fear. We need leaders who can comfort ordinary Nigerians who are struggling,” he said.
Odesola urged Nigerians to give Adeboye the space to pray, listen and discern before making public pronouncements.
“Let Pastor Adeboye pray. Let him listen. Let him discern. And when he has something he believes God has instructed him to say, let him say it with the courage of conviction,” he stated.
He stressed that Adeboye’s decision not to make the statement some Nigerians expected should not automatically be interpreted as a failure of leadership.
According to him, a servant of God should prioritise obedience to God over satisfying public expectations.
Odesola concluded by urging those waiting for Adeboye to criticise Tinubu or make a dramatic religious pronouncement to refrain from dictating what the cleric should say.
“Don’t write his script for him. He will speak when he believes he should speak. He will pray when he believes he should pray. And if God has not told him to say what the crowd wants to hear, he should have the courage to say nothing at all,” he said.
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