Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, Bode George, has criticised recent comments credited to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, over his suggestion that Nigeria’s security chiefs should be given a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorists or resign. George argued that while the concerns raised about insecurity were understandable given the prevailing security challenges in the country, the proposed directive should not be directed at service chiefs alone.

According to him, such a timeline-based order falls strictly within the constitutional powers of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, who bears ultimate responsibility for national security decisions. He explained that the structure of Nigeria’s military and security architecture operates under a clear chain of command, where strategic directives are issued from the Presidency through the appropriate defence channels before reaching the service chiefs.

As such, he maintained that bypassing this structure by directing ultimatums at military heads could create confusion within the system and undermine operational efficiency. George further stressed that the responsibility for setting national security priorities, timelines, and operational expectations rests with the Presidency and not individual service chiefs acting independently. He noted that while service chiefs are tasked with executing defence strategies, they do so based on directives approved at the highest level of government.

He added that religious and civic leaders have every right to speak on national issues, especially on matters of insecurity that affect citizens across different regions. However, he cautioned that recommendations and public suggestions must be framed in a way that aligns with constitutional procedures and the established command structure of the armed forces. According to him, placing strict deadlines such as a 90-day ultimatum on security agencies without a corresponding executive framework could be unrealistic and may unintentionally distort the coordination required in counter-insurgency operations.

The controversy surrounding George’s comments comes against the backdrop of recent reactions to Adeboye’s proposal, which sparked widespread debate across political, religious, and security circles. The General Overseer had suggested that security chiefs be given a 90-day window to decisively tackle terrorism or resign if they fail to deliver results. Following the backlash and public debate, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) defended its General Overseer, stating that his comments were made out of genuine concern for the worsening security situation in the country.

The church clarified that Adeboye’s remarks were not intended to undermine the federal government or the military hierarchy but to highlight the urgency of addressing insecurity affecting different parts of Nigeria.RCCG added that the cleric has consistently spoken on national issues from a patriotic standpoint, emphasizing peace, unity, and the wellbeing of citizens. It urged Nigerians to understand the comments within the context of rising insecurity and the frustration many citizens feel over persistent attacks, kidnappings, and violence.

George’s remarks, however, reaffirm his position that while public concern is valid, security directives must follow constitutional lines of authority, with the Presidency remaining the proper channel for such policy decisions.The discussion highlights growing public pressure on the federal government to address insecurity, as attacks, kidnappings, and violent incidents continue to affect several parts of the country. (The Guardian)

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