Human rights advocate and lawyer, Effiong Inibehe, has strongly criticized Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), urging him to reconsider his involvement in supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Inibehe’s remarks came in response to Pastor Adeboye’s recent statement, where he credited divine intervention through his prayers for preventing the naira from devaluing to ₦10,000 per US dollar.
In addition to his comments about the naira, Adeboye also expressed support for President Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, calling it a necessary move to address the country’s economic challenges. However, Inibehe took issue with these statements, especially Adeboye’s defense of a government he believes is failing the Nigerian people.
Reacting to Adeboye’s remarks, Inibehe advised the pastor to “retire and go home,” stating that the general overseer’s public comments on national issues are misleading and offensive to thoughtful members of society. According to Inibehe, Adeboye’s endorsement of government actions, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, misrepresents the situation and misleads the Nigerian populace.
“In life, there comes a time when one must recognize the right moment to step back and allow others to take over,” Inibehe said. “Pastor Adeboye’s support for this government, which he defends despite its failures, is not only disappointing but also a mockery of the core values of Christianity.”
Inibehe further criticized the pastor for appearing to condone the government’s actions, suggesting that many Nigerians have lost faith in the church due to what he described as the “hypocrisy and complicity” of religious leaders like Adeboye. “It is disheartening that many Nigerians are now distancing themselves from the church because of the perceived alliance between religious leaders and this corrupt administration,” he added.
The lawyer also took aim at Adeboye’s claims about the fuel subsidy and the state of Nigeria’s economy. “Contrary to what Pastor Adeboye has stated, President Tinubu’s government has actually continued to spend billions on the fuel subsidy, despite claims that it was eliminated,” Inibehe pointed out. “This is just another example of how the government misleads the public with contradictory statements.”
Inibehe further accused the Tinubu administration of failing to address the deep-rooted corruption and inefficiencies in the country’s oil sector. “The problems in Nigeria’s oil industry remain unchecked, and the government’s rhetoric on reforms remains hollow. We are not as naive as some would like to believe,” he said.
The human rights lawyer also criticized Adeboye’s claim that his prayers had contributed to the naira’s stability. “It is absolutely ridiculous to suggest that prayer has played a role in the value of the naira. Exchange rates are influenced by solid economic policies, not by prayers. The truth is, despite decades of prayer for Nigeria, the country’s problems have only worsened,” Inibehe asserted.
He concluded by questioning the integrity of political leaders who follow Pastor Adeboye. “Some of the most corrupt and morally questionable leaders in Nigeria today are staunch followers of Pastor Adeboye. This reality raises serious concerns about the moral compass of those who profess to lead others,” Inibehe remarked.
Inibehe’s criticism highlights growing frustration among segments of Nigerian society who feel that religious leaders, once seen as moral authorities, have compromised their positions by aligning with controversial political figures. His call for Adeboye to step aside and reconsider his involvement with the government underscores a broader call for accountability and integrity within both religious and political leadership in Nigeria.
