‎Obi Hails Adeboye as Father of Faith, Calls for National Unity

‎Obi Hails Adeboye as Father of Faith, Calls for National Unity
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‎By Jeff Onuegbu
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‎E-ISSN: 2354-4481
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‎The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, as one of Nigeria’s foremost spiritual leaders and a consistent advocate of peace, unity, and national reconciliation.
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‎Obi made the remarks in a message shared on his official X account on Thursday amid ongoing public discussions and criticisms directed at the respected cleric. Addressing young Nigerians, the former Anambra State governor urged citizens to approach national issues with maturity, responsibility, and a commitment to unity.
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‎According to Obi, Pastor Adeboye has spent decades promoting values that foster harmony and peaceful coexistence across the country. He noted that the cleric’s ministry has consistently emphasized prayer, love, reconciliation, and national cohesion, even during periods of tension and division.
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‎"Pastor Enoch Adeboye remains one of the foremost fathers of faith in our nation," Obi stated. "For decades, he has consistently preached the virtues of peace, prayer, love, reconciliation, and national unity. Even when faced with provocation, his response has always reflected humility, restraint, wisdom, and grace."
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‎The former governor argued that it would be unfair for younger Nigerians to shift responsibilities that properly belong to them onto an elderly religious leader. He emphasized that the responsibility of shaping Nigeria's future lies primarily with the nation's youth.
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‎"At 84 years of age, it would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them," Obi said. "The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation."
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‎Obi further stressed that young Nigerians must take ownership of national conversations, champion meaningful reforms, and drive the changes necessary to improve governance and national development.
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‎Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, particularly events that unfolded in Lagos State, Obi warned against attempts to divert political discourse away from issues of governance, competence, and development toward ethnic and tribal sentiments.
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‎He maintained that politicians who struggle to compete based on ideas, performance, and vision often resort to exploiting ethnic, religious, and identity differences as political tools to divide citizens and advance personal interests.
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‎The former presidential candidate cautioned that similar narratives appear to be resurfacing and urged Nigerians, especially young people, not to become instruments of division.
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‎"We must be careful not to become instruments in the hands of those who secretly nurture division while publicly preaching unity," he stated. "Their real objective is often to weaken the bonds that hold us together as one people and one nation,"
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‎Obi called on Nigerians to reject hatred, critically examine public narratives, verify information before accepting it, and resist efforts to weaponize ethnicity, religion, or admiration for public figures for political gain.
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‎According to him, the country's progress depends on citizens who choose unity over division and place national interest above narrow political or sectional considerations.
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‎"The Nigeria of our dreams can only be built by citizens who refuse to be divided, who choose unity over hatred, and who place our collective future above narrow interests," Obi said.
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‎He concluded his message with his familiar expression of optimism and national renewal: "A New Nigeria is Possible."