- A social media exchange involving the leadership of RCCG and user ME Bello has ignited a debate in Nigeria.
- The debate highlights concerns over insecurity and economic issues in the country.
- The interference of religious leaders in national affairs is checked.
A heated debate on social media involving the leadership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and an X user identified as ME Bello has sparked a new online debate amid ongoing concerns over insecurity and economic challenges in Nigeria.
The debate comes after re-examination of the role of religious leaders in national affairs, with some Nigerians questioning why the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, seemed more publicly engaged during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan compared to the current government led by President Bola Tinubu, where his messages were mostly focused on prayer.
In response, the RCCG released archived video clips on social media, insisting that Adeboye did not participate in any protest against the Jonathan administration. The church clarified that the widely reported gathering was a prayer walk, not a demonstration.
However, the clarification was contested by ME Bello, who claimed that the event took place at the RCCG Redemption Camp. The church denied this allegation, saying the prayer walk took place in Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Bello further escalated the conversation, writing: “Now that I have your attention, church social media manager; is the GO now too old to lead another protest or is it just table manners?”
RCCG subsequently responded, continuing an online back-and-forth exchange that has since garnered significant public attention: “An 84-year-old should go lead a protest for your own future?… You’re not ready.”
Bello then hit back, accusing the church leader of contributing to voter apathy through some of his public comments.
“Well said then! Kindly help advise our kind father-in-the-Lord to stop creating apathy!
“In the last election, he said that God did not tell him that there would be an election. In this one again, he said that he said that the same God chose who would win. This creates voter apathy.”
Check out a screenshot of the exchange below:
