Obi backs Adeboye, says Tinubu has done his best

National Democratic Congress, NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has agreed with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, that President Bola Tinubu has done his best to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges, but argued that the country now requires new leadership with greater capacity.

Speaking during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, published on YouTube on Thursday, Obi said Adeboye’s assessment of the President’s efforts was fair, stressing that the real issue was whether those efforts had produced the desired results.

According to Obi, the respected cleric merely acknowledged that Tinubu had made efforts in office.

“What he said was correct. He said he has tried his best. He’s trying his best. The question is: Is his best good enough? Where we find ourselves today, that leads to the issue of capacity,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor maintained that effective leadership requires competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character, arguing that Nigeria’s worsening security situation demonstrates the need for a different approach.

“President Tinubu is tired. He needs to go home and rest,” Obi added.

Obi made the remarks while responding to a question on why Nigerians should support his presidential ambition ahead of other opposition candidates. He urged voters to assess his past record alongside the policies he is proposing.

“It is for you to look at my past and look at what I am saying now,” he said.

Adeboye had, during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C., defended Tinubu against criticisms over insecurity, saying the President had fulfilled his responsibility by directing the military to act.

According to the cleric, a Commander-in-Chief should not be expected to personally participate in military operations.

“I don’t support those who are accusing the President of not doing enough. 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,” Adeboye had said.

Despite defending the President, Adeboye expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, noting that terrorism and kidnapping had spread beyond northern Nigeria.

He also revealed that he advised Tinubu to issue a 90-day ultimatum to military commanders to end insecurity or resign, while urging the government to identify and prosecute those sponsoring terrorism.