*’He Has Spoken On Insecurity, Restructuring’
PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerian youths not to be used to promote narratives that undermine national unity, warning against ethnic and religious divisions.
Obi made the appeal following social media criticism of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, over the worsening insecurity in the country, and demand that he leads protests against the Federal Government, citing a viral photograph purportedly showing him holding a placard during a demonstration against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
RCCG has since dismissed the claim, clarifying that the image was taken during a peaceful walk organised by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) under the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and had no connection to any political protest.
In a post on his X account on Thursday, June 4, Obi said the 2023 general elections, particularly in Lagos State, offered lessons on how public discourse can be diverted from issues of governance and development into ethnic and identity-based sentiments, noting that politicians who struggle to compete on ideas, performance and vision often resort to exploiting such divisions.
“Throughout history, whenever politicians find it difficult to compete on ideas, performance, character or vision, some resort to exploiting the fault lines of ethnicity, religion and identity. Their calculation is simple: A divided people are easier to manipulate than a united people.
“Today, I see similar efforts emerging again, sometimes in more subtle and sophisticated ways. Narratives are planted, amplified and circulated, often by individuals who genuinely believe they are defending a worthy cause, without recognising the broader agenda behind such campaigns.”
The former Anambra State governor lamented that many Nigerians often participate in such narratives without understanding the broader intent behind them, defending Adeboye, who he described as a respected religious leader that has consistently preached peace, unity and reconciliation.
Obi stated that it would be unfair to burden Adeboye with responsibilities that belong to younger Nigerians, urging youths to take responsibility for driving national change.
He wrote: “Let me state clearly that Pastor Enoch Adeboye remains one of the foremost fathers of faith in our nation.
“For decades, he has consistently preached the virtues of peace, prayer, love, reconciliation and national unity. Even when faced with provocation, his response has always reflected humility, restraint, wisdom and grace.
“At 84 years of age, it would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them. The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation.
“It is their duty to lead the conversations, champion the reforms and drive the positive change our nation urgently requires.”
He advised Nigerians to verify information, question narratives and resist manipulation, adding: “The Nigeria of our dreams can only be built by citizens who refuse to be divided, who choose unity over hatred and who place our collective future above narrow interests.”
Similarly, a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, dismissed claims that Adeboye has remained silent on Nigeria’s challenges, saying the cleric has consistently spoken on insecurity, governance and restructuring over the years.
Ezekwesili, in a statement shared on social media on Thursday, said the cleric had publicly addressed national issues across different administrations, regardless of who occupied the presidency.
Reiterating that the real issue is not whether Adeboye spoke out, but whether Nigerians paid attention to his interventions, Ezekwesili said: “No, Pastor Adeboye is not our problem; he speaks. He spoke in the 1990s, he spoke in the early 2000s, he spoke in 2010, he spoke in 2020, he spoke in 2025.”
She recalled his remarks during a Holy Ghost Service in November last year, where he urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take decisive action against insecurity, quoting him as saying: “You can only advise the Commander-in-Chief, you cannot command him. But I’ve tried. God is my witness…”
Ezekwesili also said the cleric had in the past called for the elimination of terrorists and their sponsors, irrespective of their status or influence.
She insisted that his remarks over the years demonstrate that he has consistently spoken truth to power on issues affecting the country.
The former minister urged Nigerians to focus on acting on such messages and demanding reforms, rather than questioning whether influential leaders had spoken out, adding: “The real question becomes: What are we all now going to do about it?”
Ezekwesili also charged Nigerians to unite in confronting the country’s challenges and supporting efforts aimed at achieving meaningful reforms and national development.
