The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has rejected allegations that its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has remained silent on Nigeria’s security and economic challenges.

It, however, said that Adeboye had on several occasions publicly addressed issues of national concern.

The RCCG’s position comes amid increasing calls by some Nigerians for influential religious leaders to take a stronger stance on governance and hold political leaders accountable for the country’s security and economic situation.

In a statement by its public relations platform, the RCCG rejected suggestions that Adeboye had remained silent on national concerns or was responsible for directing government policy, stressing that he (Adeboye) neither occupies political office nor exercises executive authority.

“Pastor Adeboye is a clergyman and not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” the church stated, saying that expectations for him to “command” the President or the First Lady on how to run the affairs of the nation were misplaced.

The church, however, maintained that the 84-year-old cleric had not shied away from offering counsel on critical national matters.

It further dismissed claims that its leader had cancelled a planned protest over insecurity and economic hardship.

According to the church, Adeboye merely communicated a decision reached by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria regarding modifications to a prayer programme and rally.

It, therefore, said that reports suggesting that he personally called off a protest were false and misleading.

In a related development, the church dismissed claims that Adeboye once participated in a protest against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

It said that the photographs currently circulating online were taken during a nationwide peace walk organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the RCCG, the exercise, held in Ebute-Metta, was aimed at drawing attention to the killing of Christians and other Nigerians.

The church stressed that Adeboye’s participation in the peace walk reflected his concern for protecting human life and national peace, rather than opposition to any administration, and stated that neither Adeboye nor the church should be blamed for the country’s governance challenges.

It emphasised that the denomination is not a political party and does not function as the religious arm of any political organisation.

MEANWHILE, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Mainland Province, Lagos chapter, has called on Nigerians to seek divine intervention through repentance and prayers over the worsening security situation in the country, particularly the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

The call was made during a prayer programme titled “Help From Above,” held at the Bariga Primary School Complex, Bariga, Lagos, which was organised against the backdrop of the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in the Oriire axis of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, as well as the beheading of one of the kidnapped teachers.

Chairman of PFN Mainland Province, Lagos chapter, Chinedu Momah, represented by the General Secretary of the Fellowship, Moses Mboso, who spoke at the event, said the alarming state of insecurity in the country had made it imperative for citizens to turn to God for help.