There is a saying that has stood the test of time: “When a wise man points at the moon, only a fool stares at the finger.” Sadly, that is exactly what has happened in the wake of Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s recent comments on Nigeria’s security situation. Instead of reflecting on the substance of his message, many have chosen to attack the messenger.
At the US–Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C., Adeboye spoke about Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and responded to criticisms directed at President Bola Tinubu. Within hours, social media erupted. Headlines screamed that the respected cleric was defending the President. Some even accused him of abandoning the suffering masses.
But did Adeboye really say what his critics claim he said?
Anyone who carefully listens to his full remarks, instead of relying on snippets circulating on social media, will arrive at a different conclusion.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God did not deny that Nigeria is facing one of the most difficult security challenges in its history. In fact, he admitted the exact opposite. He acknowledged that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping have become more widespread and have spread beyond the northern part of the country into several southern states. Those are not the words of a man pretending that all is well.
