The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged young Nigerians to take greater responsibility for nation-building, saying it is unfair to place such expectations on the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, at the age of 84.
Obi made the remark in a statement on Thursday while cautioning youths against divisive narratives and calls that could draw respected national figures into political or ethnic controversies.
According to him, the responsibility of building a better Nigeria belongs primarily to the younger generation, who must take the lead in promoting reforms and driving positive change.
“At 84 years of age, it would be unfair for young and able-bodied Nigerians to transfer to him responsibilities that properly belong to them,” Obi said.
“The task of building a better Nigeria rests primarily on the shoulders of the younger generation. It is their duty to lead the conversations, champion the reforms, and drive the positive change our nation urgently requires.”
The former Anambra State governor described Adeboye as one of Nigeria’s foremost fathers of faith, noting that the cleric has spent decades preaching peace, love, reconciliation and national unity.
“Pastor Enoch Adeboye remains one of the foremost fathers of faith in our nation. For decades, he has consistently preached the virtues of peace, prayer, love, reconciliation, and national unity,” Obi stated.
“Even when faced with provocation, his response has always reflected humility, restraint, wisdom, and grace.”
Obi warned that some individuals and groups often exploit ethnic, religious and identity differences when they are unable to compete on ideas, vision and performance, adding that such tactics were evident during the 2023 election cycle.
He urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be recruited into campaigns of hatred or division, stressing the need to question narratives, verify claims and focus on national unity.
“We must be careful not to become instruments in the hands of those who secretly nurture division while publicly preaching unity,” he said.
“The Nigeria of our dreams can only be built by citizens who refuse to be divided, who choose unity over hatred, and who place our collective future above narrow interests.”
