Peter Obi Backs Adeboye’s Remarks on Tinubu, Says President Has ‘Tried His Best’ but Should ‘Go Home and Rest’

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has endorsed Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s assessment that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done his best to address Nigeria’s security challenges, but insisted that the country now needs leadership with greater capacity to tackle its mounting problems.

Speaking during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, published on YouTube on Thursday, Obi said the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was correct in acknowledging the President’s efforts. However, he argued that the critical question Nigerians should ask is whether those efforts have delivered the results the country desperately needs.

Reacting to Adeboye’s recent comments on insecurity, Obi said the respected cleric remained a trusted national voice whose sincerity he had no reason to question.

“Pastor Adeboye remains a very revered, respected religious father, whom I believe in his genuineness and goodness,” Obi said.

“What he said was correct. He said he has tried his best. He’s trying his best. That’s it. The question to ask is: Is his best good enough? Where we find ourselves today, that leads to the issue of capacity.”

The former Anambra State governor maintained that Nigeria’s leadership crisis is not simply about making an effort but about possessing the competence to deliver meaningful results. He outlined what he considers the key qualities of effective leadership, including competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character.

Obi argued that the country requires a new direction, adding that President Tinubu should step aside after giving what he described as his best.

“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,” he said.

Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, Obi urged Nigerians to judge him based on both his track record in public office and the policies he continues to advocate.

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

Pastor Adeboye had recently defended President Tinubu against criticism over worsening insecurity, saying the President had fulfilled his responsibility by directing the military to confront security threats rather than personally participating in military operations. The cleric, however, also expressed concern over the country’s deteriorating security situation and urged the government to intensify efforts against terrorism, kidnapping and those financing criminal activities.