2027: What Adeboye told Sowore behind closed doors

Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, privately assured him that he would triumph, although he insisted that his presidential ambition was never discussed.

Sowore said the influential cleric told him that he regularly prayed for him and believed his ways were pure during a private meeting at the RCCG national headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

The activist made the disclosure during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, about a week after attending the church’s National Thanksgiving Service.

Recounting the encounter, Sowore said Adeboye recognised him and made a personal declaration about his character and future.

“He said to me, ‘You know, I know you very well, and I pray for you all the time, and I know your ways are pure, and that you will triumph,’” Sowore revealed.

The declaration comes amid Sowore’s political ambitions, although the activist maintained that neither his presidential aspiration nor his political future formed part of their conversation.

According to him, the meeting was primarily a personal encounter that brought back memories of his relationship with the cleric nearly three decades earlier.

Sowore explained that he was initially directed to wait near Adeboye’s car after the thanksgiving service but was subsequently informed that the pastor wanted to meet him privately in the church’s vestry.

During their discussion, he reminded Adeboye of their first encounter in 1996, when he approached the religious leader for support in combating cultism in Nigerian universities.

He said he had just completed his National Youth Service Corps programme at the time and was seeking assistance for a campaign against campus cultism.

According to Sowore, Adeboye supported the initiative and directed that N10,000 be given to him to finance the campaign.

“We used it to go and campaign against cultism,” he recalled.

The activist said the cleric appeared surprised when reminded of their meeting about 30 years earlier.

He further disclosed that Adeboye offered to pray for him during their recent encounter, an offer he accepted but with an unusual condition.

Sowore said he informed the cleric that he would not close his eyes while the prayer was being offered.

Despite the condition, Adeboye proceeded to pray for him.

“So he did pray for me, and we stood up, and we laughed,” Sowore said.

However, when asked whether the meeting with the RCCG leader had influenced him to give his life to Christ, Sowore dismissed the suggestion, explaining that he did not practise organised religion.

“We didn’t have that kind of conversation because giving life to Christ is for people who are into organised religion. I am not into organised religion,” he stated.

He also clarified that his presidential ambition was never raised during the private discussion, despite Adeboye’s assurance that he would triumph.

Sowore had earlier announced the meeting in a post on X following the thanksgiving service, revealing that the cleric had offered to pray for him.

While Adeboye’s reported remarks expressed confidence in Sowore’s future, the activist did not suggest that the cleric had endorsed his presidential ambition or offered him political support.