The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has strongly refuted claims circulating online that its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, led a public protest against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the RCCG Public Relations department clarified that a photograph of Pastor Adeboye holding a placard during a public walk is being maliciously misrepresented on social media platforms.
The church explained that the image was actually captured during a nationwide peaceful walk directed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the statement, churches across the country were instructed to hold peaceful walks immediately after their Sunday services to draw urgent global attention to the relentless killing of Christians and to pressure the government into taking decisive action to protect human lives.
Pastor Adeboye merely participated in the Ebute Metta leg of the synchronized nationwide exercise.
The RCCG emphasized that the event was never organized against Goodluck Jonathan and had absolutely no link to his tenure.
Setting the records straight, the church’s official statement read:“Pastor Adeboye Did Not Protest Against President Goodluck Jonathan’s Government
“A false narrative has been circulating online, accompanied by a photograph of Pastor E.A. Adeboye holding a placard during a public walk. The image has repeatedly been misrepresented as evidence that Pastor Adeboye led or participated in a protest against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“This claim is FALSE. The photograph in question was taken during a peaceful nationwide walk held in response to a directive issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari. Churches across Nigeria were instructed to hold peaceful walks after service, calling attention to the persistent killings of Christians and urging the government to take decisive action to protect lives.
“The walk in Ebute Metta, where Pastor Adeboye participated, was part of that nationwide exercise. It was neither organized against President Goodluck Jonathan nor connected in any way to his administration”.
The mission further noted that the core message on the General Overseer’s placard during the walk was anchored on the divine value of human existence, advocating for the safety of all innocent citizens irrespective of their faith.
“It is important to note that Pastor Adeboye’s message during the walk was clear: all lives matter to God. His placard emphasized the value of every human life, regardless of religious affiliation. The call was for the protection of innocent Nigerians, both Christians and Muslims”.
The RCCG also addressed the growing public expectations and criticisms demanding that the General Overseer directly dictate governance steps to the President or the First Lady.
The church maintained that such demands are completely far-fetched, reminding critics that Pastor Adeboye is a spiritual leader and not a political ruler, though he has never stayed silent on critical national issues.
“Yes, Nigeria is facing enormous challenges, and citizens have every right to desire solutions. However, the growing demand that Pastor Adeboye should “command” the President or the First Lady on how to run the affairs of the nation is both unrealistic and unreasonable.
“Pastor Adeboye is a clergyman, not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Nevertheless, he has not remained silent”, it added.
“At 84 years old, Pastor Adeboye continues to provide spiritual leadership, moral counsel, and national guidance within the limits of his office as a minister of the Gospel”, he added.
Concluding the statement, the church clarified that Pastor Adeboye possesses no constitutional authority to command the nation’s leadership, and that the RCCG is neither a political party nor an arm of any political movement, and cannot be held accountable for Nigeria’s current national challenges.
The public was therefore urged to always verify any information concerning the General Overseer or the mission through official RCCG communication channels.
