LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed support for statements made by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, regarding the performance of President Bola Tinubu on national security.
Okay News reports that Peter Obi spoke during an interview with Chude Jideonwo uploaded to YouTube on Thursday, July 9, 2026, where he agreed that the president had done his best but stated that the current leadership now needs to step aside.
The comment follows an earlier address by Enoch Adeboye on June 23, 2026, during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organized by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., where the cleric defended the president against criticisms over worsening insecurity.
During the interview, Peter Obi was asked about his presidential ambition and the remarks made by the cleric regarding the administration’s efforts to tackle insecurity.
“Somebody asked me yesterday, they said that Pastor Adeboye said Tinubu has tried his best and he’s not happy,” Peter Obi said. “And I said, no, Pastor Adeboye remains a very revered, respected religious father, whom I believe in his genuineness and goodness. And what he said was correct. He said he has tried his best. He’s trying his best. That’s it. It’s the correct answer. The question to ask is: Is his best good enough? Where we find ourselves today, that leads to the issue of capacity.”
Peter Obi stated that leadership requires competence, capacity, compassion, commitment, and character, adding that the security challenges in Nigeria necessitate a change.
“When I talk about leadership, I say competence, capacity, compassion, commitment, character,” Peter Obi said. “These are the issues. President Tinubu is tired. He needs to go home and rest.”
In his original address in Washington, D.C., Enoch Adeboye stated that a commander-in-chief fulfills their responsibility by issuing directives to subordinates rather than personally participating in military operations.
“I don’t support those who are accusing the president of not doing enough,” Enoch Adeboye said. “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.”
Enoch Adeboye also expressed concern over the spread of terrorism and kidnapping from northern Nigeria to the southern region, noting that he advised the president to issue a 90-day ultimatum to military commanders to end the insecurity or resign.
