Peter Obi tells youths: Don't blame Adeboye for insecurity, lead change

On June 4, 2026, presidential candidate Peter Obi urged young Nigerians not to place responsibility for protesting insecurity on Pastor Enoch Adeboye, calling such expectations unfair. Speaking in a statement on X, Obi defended the 84-year-old cleric as a lifelong preacher of peace, prayer, love, reconciliation and national unity, noting that Adeboye’s response to provocation has always been humility and wisdom. He warned that some politicians exploit ethnic and religious divisions when they cannot compete on ideas, character, performance or vision, and that similar divisive narratives are resurfacing ahead of future elections. Reflecting on the 2023 polls, especially in Lagos, Obi said debates on governance, competence and development were sidelined by tribal sentiments, a pattern he sees repeating. He stressed that building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the younger generation, urging them to lead reform conversations and drive positive change rather than be used to fuel disunity. The statement comes amid social media criticism of Adeboye over ongoing insecurity, with some youths expecting him to lead protests as he did during the Goodluck Jonathan era.

This matters because it redirects responsibility for national progress onto young Nigerians, clarifying that civic action and reform leadership are their duties, not the role of religious figures. It also highlights how political actors may manipulate identity tensions to gain advantage, urging youth to stay vigilant against such tactics.

What should you know or do? Focus on governance, competence and development in your conversations; reject narratives that deepen ethnic or religious splits; actively participate in reform efforts and demand accountability from leaders; and recognize that sustainable change comes from collective youth-led action, not reliance on any single individual to protest on your behalf.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/04/its-unfair-peter-obi-advises-young-nigerians-about-pastor-adeboye/