As pressure continues to mount on the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to drop the wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Pastor Oluremi Tinubu from its pastorate, The General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has stated that he would not bow to pressure to remove her as an ordained pastor of the church. He also debunked the claim that the RCCG has a link to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the church is not affiliated to any political party. The cleric also gave reasons why he took part in political protests in the past, saying it was in obedience to the directives of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Pastor Adeboye made these known while
addressing the congregation at the church’s monthly Holy Ghost Service, held at
Redemption City (formerly Redemption Camp), located at KM 46, Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway, Mowe, Ogun State.
Adeboye said suggestions that RCCG was
linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were unfounded, noting
that members of different political parties freely worshipped together.
He dismissed claims that the church was
aligned with any political party, insisting that it remains a place of worship
open to all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation.
According to the revered cleric, Mrs.
Tinubu was ordained as an Assistant Pastor in the RCCG more than a decade ago,
long before her husband, President Bola Tinubu, indicated an interest in
contesting for the presidency.
Adeboye added that her ordination
followed the full process required by the church and stressed that she has not
violated any of its doctrines or guidelines.
“She was properly ordained many years
ago, long before the political journey of her husband to the presidency began,”
he said.
He added that the RCCG would not bow to
external pressure demanding her removal as a pastor.
Adeboye further noted that the church
operated on established spiritual and procedural principles and would not take
decisions based on political sentiment or public agitation.
He maintained that the First Lady
remained in good standing within the church and had continued to serve in her
pastoral capacity.
“Some people are
saying RCCG is an APC church. I just smile. In RCCG, you will find a governor
from the Peoples Democratic Party sitting down with a governor from the Labour
Party, APC, and APGA. By the special help of God, we are representative of the
whole nation, and that is what we will continue to be,”
he said.
The cleric
stressed that while politicians are welcome in the church, the altar is not a
platform for political expression.
“If you saw one
governor among us today dancing and you were expecting he would be called
forward to say something, we don’t do that. But if you come to
worship with us,
you are welcome. Our duty is to pray for everybody,” he added.
On Nigeria’s
political future, Adeboye offered a spiritual perspective on the 2027
presidential election, stating that the outcome is already determined
by God.
“The one that
will rule has been decided by God before we were born. He knows the end from
the beginning,” he said, urging Nigerians to remain focused
on prayer and
their personal responsibilities.
Addressing his
past involvement in public protests, Adeboye explained that his actions were in
obedience to directives from the Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN).
“That was
because the then chairman of CAN asked all Christians to go out for a peaceful
protest. If he talks tomorrow and asks me to march, I will,” he
said, adding
that he operates under the authority of CAN on national Christian matters.
He also
clarified that he does not see himself as a spiritual father to all Nigerian
Christians, describing himself strictly as the leader of RCCG.
“I don’t want to
be the father of all Christians in Nigeria. I am certified as being the father
of RCCG, and that is enough assignment for me,” he said.
Adeboye further
urged members of the church to avoid engaging in criticism or political
disputes involving fellow believers, assuring them of his continued
support and
protection.
“I will not
allow any outsider to dictate to me how to deal with my own children. Even if
you make a mistake, I will not allow an outsider to tell me what
to do with my
own children. I will defend you against anybody, any blogger or whatever who
may say anything against you.
“If anybody is
criticising any of us, don’t join them. Don’t allow them to use you for
politics.”
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