Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has faulted Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s call for security chiefs to eliminate terrorism within 90 days or resign, insisting that responsibility for the nation’s security rests squarely with President Bola Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief.
George was reacting to remarks by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), who recently urged the Federal Government to give security chiefs a three-month ultimatum to end terrorism or vacate their positions.
According to the PDP chieftain, the respected cleric should have directed his advice to the President rather than the Service Chiefs.
“Nobody is saying Pastor Adeboye should command the Commander-in-Chief. No. That is not even possible. But, that advice should be directed at the President, not Service Chiefs. He is the one who should do everything to ensure that Nigerians are safe,” George said.
Drawing an analogy, he compared the situation to a newsroom where ultimate responsibility lies with the editor rather than subordinate staff.
“Tinubu appointed the Service Chiefs. If they are not working, he has the power to give them ultimatum or fire them.
The president should be held accountable for results in the fight against terrorism,” he added.
George, who described himself as a retired military officer, expressed frustration over the persistent insecurity across the country, lamenting the increasing cases of abduction and violent attacks.
“I am talking as a combatant and a retired General. What is going on does not make any sense at all. It is arrant nonsense, absolute lunacy.
“The most important issue in the country today is how to eliminate these blood-thirsty maniacs and that is the job of the Commander-in-Chief. How he perfects that by directing the Service Chiefs on what to do rests with him.”
He also accused political leaders of prioritising political calculations ahead of national security concerns.
“The political leadership has relegated security issues to the background. They are only interested in primaries and politics. If the country is on fire, who will come out to vote in 2027?” he asked.
Citing recent abductions and attacks across the country, George warned that insecurity was eroding public confidence and creating fear among citizens.
He urged President Tinubu to convene a high-level security summit involving retired military commanders, intelligence experts and serving security chiefs to develop a comprehensive strategy against terrorism and banditry.
“Service Chiefs and top serving security officers should also attend the meeting. With intelligence gathering mechanism, right weapons and equipment, to deal with these characters should not be more than 60 days,” he said.
George further called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture, stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and greater accountability in the fight against violent crimes.
“The growing concern that not enough has been done to secure Nigerians is a reality that cannot be ignored. And that is the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief because the prolonged captivity of innocent Nigerians diminishes us as a people,” he stated.
He stressed that the government must respond decisively to criminal groups while remaining within the bounds of the law.
“According to our Constitution, security of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government.
“As a combatant and retired General, I know that non state actors cannot be more powerful than the government. When these blood-thirsty lunatics abduct any Nigerian, government’s response must be vicious, quick, swift, decisive, brutal, ruthless and incontrovertible. If that is the only language they understand, so be it.”
George concluded by urging authorities to focus on protecting lives and tackling insecurity rather than engaging in political distractions, insisting that every Nigerian life matters.
