•Stakeholders x-ray performance
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) recently held its 14th biennial conference at The Dunamis Dome, Abuja, marking a historic moment in the organization’s 40-year journey. At the center of this milestone was the closely contested re-election of Bishop Wale Oke, Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries International and Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), as the 7th National President of PFN.
With only three votes separating him from his opponent, Bishop John Praise Daniel, the election was a testament to the growing complexities within the PFN’s leadership structure. While affirming Bishop Oke’s leadership, the outcome also signals a need for introspection and strategic recalibration within the organization.
Tight contest, leadership intrigues
27 members of the National Advisory Council (NAC) and elders of the fellowship participated in the process. Bishop Oke’s victory was far from being a landslide. He secured 15 votes, while his former deputy, Bishop John Praise Daniel, received 12 votes, making it one of the closest elections in PFN history. The NAC members are 36, but two of the churches who are members of NAC did not send in their representatives and some of the other members who are late have not been replaced.
The Nation gathered that some of the members were dissatisfied with Bishop Oke’s performance in his first term, prompting his deputy to mount a strong challenge for the presidency.
A day before the election, a report in one of the national dailies said that Bishop Daniel had the backing of key elders who viewed him as a more unifying figure. However, three of the foremost elders in PFN reportedly intervened to influence the election’s outcome in Bishop Oke’s favour.
This was the first PFN election to be this closely contested since its inception in 1985, a stark contrast to previous transitions that were largely smooth and unopposed.
Notably, Archbishop Benson Idahosa was the only past PFN leader who had been elected in absentia in 1992, while other past presidents, such as Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor and Dr. Felix Omobude, had enjoyed relatively uncontested leadership tenures.
The source, who participated in the election, stated that the election was held and love won at the end of the day. “We are not a political organization where tribe and ethnicity will drive our practice. There is neither Jew nor Greek in the kingdom of God. We are one in Christ.”
The National Chairman of the PFN Inauguration Committee, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, who spoke to The Nation, said that someone has to win despite the outcome. Even with one vote, a winner has emerged.
He took a swipe at those insinuating that the current executives are all from the South, he said “No, we have more diverse executives in PFN today, the Vice President is from Imo State, the National Secretary is from Kaduna and the President is from Oyo State. This means that the fellowship is growing and inclusive in its approach.
Thumbs-up for re-elected president
Archbishop Joseph Ojo has commended Bishop Wale Oke’s impactful leadership as the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), describing him as a leader who lets his work speak for itself.
“To lead a diverse body like the PFN is no small task,” Ojo stated. “Unlike the Anglican or Catholic churches, which are single denominations, the PFN is made up of people from various denominations. Oke has led uniquely for four years, and his achievements speak volumes.”
One of the PFN’s significant milestones under Oke’s leadership is the acquisition and ongoing development of a massive property in Abuja.
Ojo also highlighted key projects in several states, including Rivers State – Construction and dedication of the PFN headquarters during Oke’s first tenure. Delta State – The completion of a massive PFN Secretariat, is a testament to the fellowship’s growth.
Beyond infrastructure, Oke has also elevated PFN’s role beyond the pulpit, turning the fellowship into a key player in national affairs. Stakeholders noted that under his leadership, PFN is no longer just a religious group but an active force shaping policies, driving social change, and strengthening churches across Nigeria.
Public affairs analyst, Adeniyi Ifetayo, praised Bishop Oke’s Greater Nigeria Crusade, a large-scale initiative mobilizing ministers and believers to pray for the nation. The crusade, held in Anambra, Uyo, and Port Harcourt, drew thousands of participants, reaffirming PFN’s commitment to national transformation.
Another major initiative is the North-South Support Programme, where southern churches provide financial and infrastructural support to struggling churches in the North. A dedicated PFN directorate oversees this initiative, making it one of the fellowship’s most impactful interventions.
Knocks for Bishop Oke
While his strides are commendable, the election reflected some discontent within the body. One major turning issue that may have caused this division is the president’s role in the election of the Lagos State PFN Chairman. The event which was held last, polarize the NAC members, reflecting deeper tensions that need reconciliation.
Also, his silence on national issues has been a case in point. It seems that the PFN has held its voice in the last two years. While he recently clarified that PFN engages with political leaders behind the scenes, there are calls for a more public and proactive stance.
He said that the body reaches out to leaders quietly, and lets them know the feelings of the masses.
The close election margin underscores the need for Oke to urgently engage with those who feel left out of PFN’s vision, ensuring inclusivity and collective progress.
Way forward
As Oke embarks on his second term as the National President of the PFN, expectations are high for greater achievements and deeper unity within the Christian body.
Archbishop Joseph Ojo, a respected voice in the Pentecostal community, has expressed his hope that the next four years will bring consolidation, expansion, and spiritual growth for the PFN under Bishop Oke’s leadership.
Reflecting on the past four years, Ojo acknowledged that Bishop Oke laid a solid foundation during his first term. Now, the expectation is not just continuity but multiplication of progress. “We are trusting God for the grace to do even double of what this first administration was able to achieve,” he stated.
One of the key areas of focus is the PFN’s new headquarters in Abuja, a significant project that symbolizes the growing influence of the fellowship.
Beyond infrastructure, Ojo emphasized the need for spiritual and organizational growth within the PFN. The next phase of leadership, he noted, should aim to strengthen unity within the Pentecostal community, ensuring that the body of Christ remains a cohesive and powerful force in Nigeria.
“We expect more grace to be given to him and resources for the building, and to unite the body of Christ, especially PFN, even more,” he added.
Also charting the way forward, General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission (The Happy Family Nation) Bishop Charles Ighele, offered a candid reflection on the election outcome and the urgent steps needed to strengthen the PFN.
He said “I will like to draw his attention to the fact that he won the election by only three votes shows that there are many people who would have wanted a change of leadership. There are many who would have preferred his opponent for one reason or the other. Remember that he had fifteen votes while opponent had twelve votes and this was too close for comfort.
“I appeal to him to look at the reasons why those who voted against him did so. If the reasons are not primordial, he should listen to them and carry them along. This is one of the few occasions in the history of PFN elections where the founding fathers and other great leaders who constitute the Electoral College were centrifugal and not centripetal in their voting. For me, this is serious”.
Beyond the election, Ighele highlighted the need for financial accountability within the Pentecostal community.
He called for the revival of the Financial Accountability Commission established by Oke’s predecessor, Reverend Dr. Felix Omobude, himself as the chairman and urged that a strong internal system be put in place to ensure financial discipline among churches.
“I do not need to be the chairman or a member. But I am of the strong belief that the time will come when churches shall be required to become more financially transparent with proper accounting systems being put in place.”
He added” I am not saying that Nigerian churches should be accountable to the Nigerian government. No. All I’m suggesting is that we should come up with an internal self-accounting and self- discipline system where aggrieved church members can take complaints of pastors who steal church money.
Ighele added: “People out there are already calling pastors all sorts of names and we need to put our house in order. It is better we are accused of being drunk “with new wine” as the early leaders of the church were accused than to be accused of being thieves.”
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He opined that it is very clear that many thieves have made themselves pastors and we should not allow them to give us a bad name.
“Bishop Wale Oke is a wise man and I think that he will carry more people along and that his second term will be better than his first term,” he said.
With a strong foundation in place, the coming years present an opportunity to solidify past achievements, foster greater unity, and position the PFN as a formidable voice in national affairs.
The question remains: Will Bishop Oke and his team rise to the challenge? The Pentecostal community watches with great anticipation