Ezekwesili defends Adeboye, says he has spoken on Insecurity, restructuring

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has defended the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, against claims that he has remained silent on Nigeria’s challenges, saying the cleric has consistently spoken on insecurity, governance and restructuring over the years.

In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, Ezekwesili said Adeboye had publicly addressed national issues across different administrations, regardless of who occupied the presidency.

According to her, the real issue is not whether the cleric spoke out but whether Nigerians paid attention to his interventions.

“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 wrote.

Ezekwesili cited remarks made by Adeboye during a Holy Ghost Service in November 2025, where he reportedly urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take decisive action against insecurity.

“You can only advise the Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. But I’ve tried. God is my witness,” Adeboye was quoted as saying.

“Tell our security chiefs to get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign,” she said.

She noted that the cleric also called for the elimination of terrorists and their sponsors, irrespective of their status or influence.

The former minister further referenced comments made by Adeboye on October 1, 2020, during a governance forum jointly organised by the RCCG and the Nehemiah Leadership Institute to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary.

At the event, Adeboye reportedly criticised aspects of Nigeria’s governance structure and advocated restructuring.

“It is ridiculous that a traditional ruler must inform a local government chairman before he travels,” he was quoted as saying.

Adeboye also reportedly warned that Nigeria needed urgent structural reforms to remain united.

“We all know that we must restructure. It is either we restructure or we break. You don’t have to be a prophet to know that. Now, we don’t want to break up — God forbid,” he said.

Ezekwesili argued that the cleric’s remarks over the years demonstrate that he has consistently spoken truth to power on issues affecting the country.

She added that Nigerians should focus on acting on such messages and demanding reforms rather than questioning whether influential leaders had spoken out.

“The real question becomes: What are we all now going to do about it?” she asked.

Ezekwesili concluded by calling on citizens to unite in confronting the country’s challenges and supporting efforts aimed at achieving meaningful reforms and national development.