Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has publicly criticized Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), for defending President Bola Tinubu’s response to Nigeria’s escalating insecurity. VDM accused the cleric of abandoning his previous stance on national security, pointing out that Adeboye had once been vocal in condemning insecurity under past administrations. The controversy erupted after Adeboye stated that Tinubu had fulfilled his constitutional duty by issuing directives to security agencies and should not be expected to personally engage in combat. This statement came amid rising concerns over banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism across several states in Nigeria.
While Pastor Adeboye acknowledged the worsening security situation, he emphasized that the President’s role is to delegate and supervise, not to lead military operations. He further revealed that he had personally advised Tinubu to give military chiefs a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorism or face removal from office. Despite this, VDM argued that leadership requires more than just giving orders—it demands accountability and enforcement. He questioned why Adeboye, who once protested with placards against insecurity, now appears to downplay the crisis under Tinubu’s leadership.
In a viral video shared on social media, VDM challenged Adeboye’s position, stating, “Pastor Enoch Adeboye just wants to turn a blind eye because Tinubu is the President. Weren’t you the one in this video protesting years ago with a placard? This is just tribal bigotry.” He used a family analogy to illustrate his point, saying that a father who assigns tasks to his children must hold them accountable if they fail. “As a father, if you give your children instructions to do something and later find out they didn’t do it properly, you either correct them or remove them immediately,” he added.
Supporters of Pastor Adeboye, however, defended his remarks, arguing that he was simply explaining the constitutional responsibilities of the President. They maintained that the cleric’s advice to give military chiefs a 90-day ultimatum shows his continued concern for national security. The debate has sparked widespread discussion online, with Nigerians divided over whether religious leaders should remain politically neutral or actively engage in national discourse.
As Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity, the exchange between VDM and Pastor Adeboye highlights the growing public demand for accountability from both political and religious figures. The conversation underscores the need for consistent standards in leadership, regardless of political affiliation. This incident is likely to fuel further public scrutiny of how security challenges are being addressed at the highest levels of government.
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