African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has backed the recent remarks by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, that President Bola Tinubu has done his best to address Nigeria’s security challenges, but argued that the President’s best is no longer sufficient for the country’s current realities.
Obi made the remarks during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, uploaded on YouTube on Thursday, while responding to a question on why Nigerians should support his presidential ambition over that of other opposition figures.
The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians to evaluate his past record and compare it with the vision he is presenting for the country.
“It’s for you to look at my past and look at what I’m saying now,” Obi said.
Reacting to Adeboye’s recent comments defending President Tinubu on insecurity, Obi described the cleric as a respected spiritual leader whose views he holds in high regard.
According to him, the RCCG General Overseer was correct in saying the President had tried his best.
“Somebody asked me yesterday, they said that Pastor Adeboye said Tinubu has tried his best and he’s not happy.
“And I said, no, Pastor Adeboye remains a very revered, respected religious father, whom I believe in his genuineness and goodness.
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“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,” Obi stated.
He argued that effective leadership goes beyond effort and requires competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character.
According to Obi, Nigeria’s worsening security challenges demonstrate the need for leadership with the ability to deliver better outcomes.
“When I talk about leadership, I say competence, capacity, compassion, commitment, character. These are the issues. President Tinubu is tired. He needs to go home and rest,” he said.
Obi’s comments follow remarks made by Pastor Adeboye during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23.
The cleric defended Tinubu against accusations that he had failed to tackle insecurity, arguing that the President had fulfilled his responsibility by issuing directives to the military.
“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, the revered cleric expressed concern over the worsening security situation, warning that terrorism and kidnapping had spread from northern Nigeria to the southern part of the country.
He disclosed that he advised President Tinubu to issue a 90-day ultimatum to military commanders to end insecurity or resign, while also urging the Federal Government to identify and prosecute those sponsoring terrorism, whom he said were already known to the authorities.