Mike Bamiloye defends Pastor Adeboye — By SOJWORLDnews
Renowned Nigerian gospel filmmaker and evangelist Mike Bamiloye has defended the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, against persistent criticism over his perceived silence on national issues and the Church’s role in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
In a strongly worded statement shared on social media, Bamiloye described many of the criticisms directed at Christian leaders as misplaced. He argued that Nigerians have increasingly shifted responsibility for the country’s security, education, and governance problems from elected officials to pastors.
“I am very confused myself. I am confused in this confused generation. A generation that is so blind to see the actual source of their problems, but keeps pushing the blame on another set of people,” Bamiloye wrote.
The filmmaker questioned why some critics focus on church leaders while federal and state governments, which receive public funds to provide education, infrastructure, and security, are not held to the same level of public accountability.
Using Pastor Adeboye as an example, Bamiloye pointed to the establishment of two private universities under the RCCG, arguing that the institutions rank among Nigeria’s leading universities and demonstrate what visionary leadership can accomplish.
“They said it is the church contribution that he used to do it. Yet they said the churchgoers are fools following men who had captured their brains. But governments with far greater financial resources have struggled to run the nation’s educational system successfully,” he wrote.
Bamiloye also defended the development of the RCCG Redemption City, describing it as a modern community with road networks, healthcare facilities, and one of the world’s largest church auditoriums. He said the church leader’s extensive international responsibilities justify his ownership and use of a private jet.
“Does it make sense for him to be buying flight tickets and queueing at counters? This generation is angry with him for having a private jet for his official works,” Bamiloye asked.
Response to Criticism
Addressing accusations that Pastor Adeboye remained silent during the administration of President Bola Tinubu after allegedly speaking against former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bamiloye maintained that many critics have ignored the facts.
According to him, the widely discussed event during Jonathan’s administration was not a political protest but a nationwide prayer walk organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in response to rising insecurity. He said churches across the country participated after receiving the directive from the organization’s leadership.
Bamiloye further claimed that Pastor Adeboye openly challenged the Tinubu administration during the RCCG Holy Ghost Service in November 2025.
“He addressed the President directly and boldly to call all his service chiefs to put an end to these terrorists and also wipe off their sponsors or resign,” he stated.
According to the filmmaker, the Presidency later invited the cleric for further discussions, during which he reportedly repeated the same message and advised the government to seek international support in tackling terrorism.
Bamiloye also referenced Pastor Adeboye’s remarks during a visit to the United States, where the cleric reportedly highlighted Nigeria’s worsening security situation and appealed for international assistance. Despite those statements, Bamiloye said many critics continued to insist that the pastor had remained silent.
“When the man eventually spoke before important personalities in the United States, they said he did not speak well. They said he said nonsense,” Bamiloye wrote.
Biblical Reference and Call for Accountability
The evangelist also criticized calls for the 84-year-old cleric to personally lead public protests, describing such expectations as unreasonable considering his age and global ministerial responsibilities.
Drawing from Proverbs 30:11-14, Bamiloye argued that the Bible had already described a generation that dishonours authority, believes it is always right, and harshly criticizes others.
He concluded by urging Christians to carefully examine where they direct their frustrations, insisting that elected officials—not religious leaders—bear primary responsibility for governance and national security.
“Blaming the pastors and exonerating the governors who receive billions of naira in monthly allocations is unfair. The senators are there receiving allocations for their constituencies, but the pastors and General Overseers are the ones being dragged endlessly for the security lapses,” he wrote.
Bamiloye added that he was particularly troubled by Christians who publicly criticize church leaders while remaining silent about the responsibilities of political office holders.
His comments have generated widespread reactions across social media, where supporters agreed that government officials should be held accountable for public administration and security. Others, however, maintained that influential religious leaders also have a moral responsibility to consistently speak out on issues affecting the nation.
The statement has renewed public debate over the role of faith leaders in national discourse and the extent to which they should engage political leaders while continuing their spiritual responsibilities. As discussions continue, Bamiloye’s remarks have underscored the deep divisions in public opinion over accountability, leadership, and the place of the Church in Nigeria’s democratic process.
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