Niger Coup: Adeboye Urges Nigeria To Choose Peace Over War

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged Nigeria to choose peace over war.

Adeboye made the call during the church's 2023 Convention with the theme, "Beyond Expectations." He said that Nigeria is already fighting many wars against kidnappers, terrorists, killer herdsmen, and others and that the country does not need more wars. Adeboye, who witnessed the Nigerian Civil War, said that he would choose peace over war any day, anytime. He said that Nigeria still needs a lot of prayers and that the country should focus on winning the wars it is already fighting. Adeboye's comment comes amid the controversy over the proposed deployment of soldiers to the Niger Republic by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). On July 26, 2023, the military in the neighbouring Niger Republic snatched power from the constitutionally elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum. ECOWAS subsequently gave the troops who seized power until last Sunday to reinstate 63-year-old Bazoum or face the potential use of force through the deployment of troops of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), a multilateral armed force drawn from the 15-member states, to compel a return to democracy. Nigeria has also cut off electricity supply to Nigeria amid a flurry of economic sanctions including border closure but the coup leaders remained defiant and the deadline passed without action. Adeboye's call for peace is a timely reminder of the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving conflicts. War is never the answer, and it is always better to seek a peaceful solution.