Tinubu Has Tried His Best on Security, Says ‘It’s Time to Go Home and Rest’ – Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has agreed with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, that President Bola Tinubu has made efforts to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

However, Obi argued that while the President may have tried his best, the results have fallen short of what Nigerians deserve, insisting that Tinubu should step aside and “go home and rest.”

The former Anambra State governor made the remarks during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, which was published on YouTube on Thursday.

Responding to a question on why Nigerians should support his presidential ambition over that of other opposition candidates, Obi urged voters to assess his track record in public office alongside the policies and vision he is presenting for the country.

“It’s for you to look at my past and look at what I’m saying now,” he said.

Addressing Pastor Adeboye’s recent comments on the country’s security situation, Obi described the cleric as a highly respected religious leader whose views should be taken seriously.

According to him, Adeboye was correct in stating that President Tinubu had tried his best. However, Obi said the critical issue was whether those efforts had produced the level of security Nigerians expected.

“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.

“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 maintained that leadership should ultimately be judged by results rather than effort alone. He identified competence, capacity, compassion, commitment, and character as the key qualities required to effectively govern Nigeria.

He argued that the country’s persistent insecurity reflects a lack of the necessary leadership capacity to adequately protect lives and property.

“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,” Obi said.

The former governor also urged Nigerians to carefully examine the records, abilities, and integrity of political aspirants before casting their votes, rather than relying solely on party affiliation or campaign rhetoric.

Adeboye’s Position

Pastor Adeboye had earlier defended President Tinubu against claims that he had failed to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23, the RCCG General Overseer argued that the President had fulfilled his constitutional responsibility by issuing directives to military and security chiefs.

“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 said.

While defending the President, the cleric acknowledged that insecurity remains a serious concern, noting that terrorism, kidnapping, and other violent crimes have spread beyond northern Nigeria into the southern parts of the country.

He disclosed that he advised Tinubu to give military commanders a 90-day ultimatum to significantly improve security or resign from their positions.

Adeboye also called on the Federal Government to identify and prosecute individuals sponsoring terrorism, insisting that security agencies already know some of those allegedly financing violent groups across the country.