Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says young Nigerians should not expect Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), to shoulder the responsibility of rebuilding the nation at 84 years of age.

Obi shared his thoughts in a Thursday post on X, urging the youths to resist attempts by “self-centred” politicians to spark ethnic tension in the country.

The development comes amid social media claims that Adeboye publicly protested during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan but has remained silent as economic hardship and insecurity ravage Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu.

The church had dismissed the claim on Tuesday, explaining that the photograph being peddled online was taken during a nationwide peace walk organised by churches, following a directive from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Obi described Adeboye as one of Nigeria’s foremost fathers of faith, noting that the cleric had spent decades preaching peace, love, reconciliation and national unity.

“Even when faced with provocation, his response has always reflected humility, restraint, wisdom and grace,” he said.

“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.

“The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation.

“It is their duty to lead the conversations, champion the reforms, and drive the positive change our nation urgently requires.”

The former governor of Anambra warned against efforts to exploit ethnic and religious divisions, saying similar tactics had emerged after the 2023 presidential poll.

He said public conversations that ought to have centred on governance, competence and national development were instead diverted towards tribal sentiments and suspicion among citizens.

“Many sincere and well-meaning Nigerians participated in these conversations without realising that they were being drawn into narratives carefully designed by others,” Obi said.

“Their calculation is simple: a divided people are easier to manipulate than a united people.”

Obi cautioned against becoming tools in the hands of those promoting division under the guise of unity.

“We must be careful not to become instruments in the hands of those who secretly nurture division while publicly preaching unity,” he said.

“In most cases, their target is not the individual being attacked; instead, it is the person who is attacking. Their real objective is to weaken the bonds that hold us together as one people and one nation.”

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate urged young Nigerians to reject attempts to incite hatred and manipulate their ethnic or religious identities.

“I therefore urge all young Nigerians: do not allow anyone to recruit you into hatred. Do not allow anyone to weaponise your ethnicity, your faith, or your admiration for respected leaders,” he said.

“Question every narrative. Verify every claim. Follow the facts. Resist manipulation.

“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.”

Meanwhile, as criticism of Adeboye gained traction on social media, Mike Bamiloye, founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, also defended the popular pastor on Wednesday.

He said it was unreasonable to expect Adeboye to lead protests against the government, adding that the RCCG general overseer had publicly spoken against insecurity and violence in the past, but many bloggers chose not to amplify his comments.

In response to the worsening security situation, the cleric urged Nigeria’s security chiefs to eliminate terrorists within 90 days or resign.

In a recent video posted on the church’s X handle on Tuesday, Adeboye called on the federal government to act swiftly in tackling the country’s security challenges.

The development comes amid growing public concern over the spate of violent attacks reported across the country in recent days.

On Wednesday, gunmen abducted Olaide John-Paul, sister of Adebayo Adelabu, former minister of power, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

On Sunday, four people were killed when gunmen attacked the convoy of Ben Nwankwo, chief of staff to Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra.