Author: The Nation

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has reacted to claims that he consults demons anytime he is about to minister at the Redemption Camp.

Adeboye, who spoke during his sermon on Friday night at the ongoing RCCG 2023 National Convention tagged, “Beyond Expectations”, said some prophets accused him of using demonic powers in leading the church, as well as preaching and prophesying to members.

Adeboye challenged his congregation to ask God to kill him if he truly consults demonic forces for powers.

The cleric said he had initially decided against addressing the rumours but changed his mind during one of his prayer sessions.

He said: “The sayings of some so-called prophets, particularly if they are saying something about me, I just ignore them.

“But I learned that recently some people were saying Pastor Adeboye is using demonic forces, (and) that there are some demons at the Redemption Camp.

“That Pastor Adeboye will consult them, then he will come and say, ‘My Daddy said’. And I just felt like I’m not going to pay any attention. But you see, they put these things on the Internet.

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“While I was praying three days ago, praying for the convention naturally, I felt the leading, let me put it that way, that there might be some people who believe these things.

“So, I just want you to pray one more prayer; if there is any link between Pastor Adeboye and the forces of darkness, ‘Father, kill him before the sun rises.’

“We are going to settle that issue today. I want you to call on God that if Pastor Adeboye is contacting the devil one way or the other, if there are any connections between him and forces of darkness, kill him before the sun rises so that he doesn’t spoil your name; so that he doesn’t lead several people to hell.

“Then, you add to that prayer, ‘Say Father, but if this boy is using your power and your power alone, then multiply that power sevenfold’.”

Some residents of Kano have kicked against the proposed use of force by the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to resolve the Niger coup crisis.

ECOWAS on Thursday directed military forces of the member States to be on standby for restoration of democratic rule in the neighbouring West African nation. 

But the protesters balked at the idea during the protest. 

Read Also: ECOWAS parliament splits over military intervention in Niger

They chanted :  “Nigeriens are our brothers, Nigeriens are also our family. Niger is ours, we don’t want war, war against Niger is injustice, a plot by the western forces,” during a procession in the ancient city of Kano. 

They displayed Nigeria and Niger’s flags, chanting anti-war songs. 

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament is divided over measures to address the political impasse in Niger Republic. 

While some of the parliament members spoke in support of dialogue and diplomacy, others called for actions that would actually stem the rise in military government within the region. 

Twenty-two parliamentarians took part in the virtual extraordinary meeting to discuss the political crisis in Niger Republic. 

The West Africa’s regional bloc on Thursday ordered the activation of a standby force for possible use against the junta that took power in Niger in July, saying it wanted a peaceful restoration of democracy but all options including force were on the table.

Read Also: U.S., ECOWAS warn Niger junta over ousted President

Some of the parliamentarians against military intervention explained that any military intervention will cause the masses untold hardship. 

The parliamentarians stated this position at an Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament holding virtually.

The first Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of ECOWAS’, Hon Idris Wase opposed the use of military might in resolving the coup dilemma in Niger Republic. 

Borno South and member of the Nigerian Delegation to ECOWAS Parliament, Ali Ndume berates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and ECOWAS Chairman of unilaterally closing the Nigerian – Niger border, cutting electricity without the approval of the Nigerian National Assembly.

According to Wase: “We should be careful not to start what we can’t finish. When the Russia – Ukraine war started, people thought it was to be a sharp war. A year after, the war is still lingering on with the attendant economic squander and wanton destruction of lives and properties.

“The subregional military chiefs knows what they stand to benefit economically. That’s why they’re eager to militarily intervene in Niger. Most of them are corrupt.

“Any war on Niger will have adverse effects on 60% of Nigeria,  especially Northern Nigeria.

On his part, Senator Ali Ndume said, “We are the representatives of the people. Whatever action that must be taken should be dependent on what our people want.

“The ECOWAS Chairman,  President Tinubu, wrote the Nigerian Senate on the planned military intervention in Niger and the Red Chamber vehemently opposed the use of force. They prefer instead, dialogue should be adopted in resolving the impasse.

“President Tinubu has no right to close the Niger – Nigeria border, cut electricity without the approval of the Nigerian National Assembly. It is not the Juntas that are suffering the sanctions, rather innocent people.”

Hon. Ali Djibo from.Niger Republic said already no fewer than 9,000 schools have been shut. 

He said the best solution is dialogue and nowhere in the world where military action has turned out to be the best option.

DJibo explained that war will only inflict more pains on ordinary people.

“War will only compound the economic woes the peoples of the subregion are already going through.

“As we speak, over a thousand trucks, loaded with goods, are stranded at the border.

“If a coup happened in Nigeria or Cote’d’Iviore tomorrow,  where’s the ECOWAS going to mobilise troops to fight the Nigerian or Ivorian military? How many borders are we going to close?

“We must also bear in mind that, if we’re applying the ECOWAS treaty, it should be applicable to all.”

Hon Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante urged ECOWAS to pay keen attention and treat the root causes of coup in ECOWAS countries. He said, diplomacy must be used to resolve the problem.

However another school of thought felt dialogue and diplomacy have not been able to tame the spread of the scourge in West Africa. The school of thought said there must be consequences for every action against the ECOWAS Protocol. 

Hon Linda Ikpeazu who pushed this argument noted that because there were no consequences in the past, especially on military incursions like in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, hence the Niger Republic situation. 

She said the regional body has to act as it cannot continue to encourage people to get away with their wrongs.

She stressed that given the rise of coupists in the sub-region, nobody knows which country will be the next.

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Linda said that she is in support of any measure that will halt military incursion in governance.

She however said she is not in support of sanction as it is the ordinary people that will bear the brunt. 

Hon Adebayo Balogun, in his contribution, educated his colleagues on the stand of ECOWAS Heads of States, saying that what they  are proposing is not a full scale war but a military action against the juntas. He stressed that ECOWAS heads are not talking about declaring war on Niger but simply intervening to dislodge the coupists from power because Niger is a signatory to ECOWAS revised protocol on non military intervention.

Also, Hon. Bashir Dawodu believes that while dialogue is being pursued, the military option should be left open so as to act as a heat.

He also reminded those who are banking on the support of Russia to defend the juntas that Russia alone cannot defend them. He stressed while diplomacy and dialogue are going on, there must also be the heat of military intervention.