National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has agreed with the recent remarks by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, that President Bola Tinubu has done his best in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, but said the President should now “go home and rest.”
Obi made the comments during an interview with Chude Jideonwo, published on YouTube on Thursday, while explaining why Nigerians should support his presidential bid over other opposition candidates.
Asked why he should be elected president, Obi urged Nigerians to assess his record in public office alongside his vision for the country’s future.
“It’s for you to look at my past and look at what I’m saying now,” he said.
Responding to Adeboye’s recent remarks on Tinubu’s efforts to combat insecurity, Obi said the respected cleric’s assessment was accurate.
“Somebody asked me yesterday that Pastor Adeboye said Tinubu has tried his best and he’s not happy,” Obi said.
“I said Pastor Adeboye remains a highly respected spiritual father whom I believe is sincere and genuine. What he said was correct. He said the President has tried his best. He’s trying his best. That’s true.”
Obi, however, argued that the critical question was whether the President’s best efforts had produced the desired results.
“The question is: Is his best good enough? Considering where we are today, that brings us to the issue of capacity,” he said.
According to the former Anambra State governor, effective leadership requires competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character, adding that Nigeria’s current security challenges demonstrate the need for a new direction.
“When I talk about leadership, I talk about competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character. These are the qualities that matter. President Tinubu is tired. He needs to go home and rest,” Obi stated.
Pastor Adeboye made the comments during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23, where he defended President Tinubu against claims that he had not done enough to tackle insecurity.
“I don’t support those accusing the President of not doing enough. Once the Commander-in-Chief has given directives to his subordinates, he has done his part. You don’t expect him to wear military uniform and go to the battlefield himself,” Adeboye had said.
While acknowledging the President’s efforts, the cleric also expressed concern over the worsening security situation, noting that terrorism and kidnapping had spread beyond northern Nigeria into other parts of the country.
Adeboye revealed that he advised President Tinubu to give military commanders a 90-day ultimatum to end insecurity or resign, while also urging the government to identify and prosecute those sponsoring terrorist activities.
