Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has explained the circumstances surrounding a viral photograph showing him holding a placard.

The image circulated on social media with claims that he had protested against former President Goodluck Jonathan. However, Adeboye said the photograph was taken during a prayer walk in 2020, when former President Muhammadu Buhari was in office.

He gave the explanation on Sunday, November 1, during the RCCG’s November Thanksgiving Service at its national headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

Adeboye Says the Photograph Was Taken in 2020

Adeboye acknowledged that he carried a placard in the photograph. However, he denied that the activity was a protest against Jonathan.

According to the cleric, the event was a prayer walk organised following a directive from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The exercise called for prayers over insecurity, killings and other security challenges affecting the country.

Adeboye explained that he participated in the prayer walk around Ebute-Metta, Lagos. He said the event took place in 2020, five years after Jonathan left office in 2015.

He questioned why the photograph had been presented as evidence of a protest against the former president.

Why the Prayer Walk Took Place

The prayer walk was part of a nationwide religious exercise organised to seek divine intervention over Nigeria’s security challenges.

CAN had encouraged churches to hold prayer walks around their places of worship. The initiative followed concerns about killings, terrorism and other threats to lives across the country.

During the exercise, Adeboye carried a placard bearing the message, “All Souls Are Precious to God.”

The event took place during Buhari’s administration, not Jonathan’s. This timeline is central to Adeboye’s explanation of the photograph.

Cleric Calls for Better Fact-Checking

Adeboye also criticised the circulation of reports that linked the photograph to Jonathan’s presidency.

He argued that journalists and other publishers should verify information before presenting it to the public.

The RCCG leader recalled his exposure to journalism studies during his university days. He stressed that investigating facts is an important part of responsible reporting.

He expressed concern that many people accepted the claim without checking when the photograph was taken or understanding the purpose of the event.

His remarks highlight the risks of sharing photographs without confirming their original context.

Viral Photo Fuels Debate Over Adeboye’s Public Statements

The photograph has attracted renewed attention amid public discussions about Adeboye’s comments on Nigeria’s political leadership and security challenges.

Some social media users have questioned his public response to current national issues. Others have debated whether religious leaders should speak more forcefully about the country’s problems.

The RCCG has previously rejected claims that the photograph showed Adeboye protesting against Jonathan. In June 2026, the church said the image came from the 2020 prayer walk organised to draw attention to insecurity.

Adeboye’s latest explanation again places the photograph in its original context. It also renews the discussion about the importance of checking dates, circumstances and sources before drawing conclusions from viral images.