Lagos PFN Calls the Bluff of PAND Over False Allegation
The Lagos State chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and its leadership has stoutly condemned a publication in Sahara Reporters by a faceless group, Pentecostal Association of Nigeria and Diaspora (PAND) led by one Apostle Jesulere James.
In the said publication, the faceless group made some grievous, false, wicked and mischievous allegations against the national president of PFN, Bishop Wale Oke, Lagos State Chairman Apostle Enyinnaya Okwuonu and other leaders of the fellowship at the state and national level.
Bishop Francis Wale Oke, PFN National PresidentPFN in a release signed by the Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Apostle Tonye Oliver, the body condemned the publication and berate the author, describing the article as a wicked attempt to drag the revered fellowship and it’s hard working leaders into murky waters of ethnicity and bigotry that was politically motivated to cause division and flame crisis among the fellowship.
The statement states, “as a responsible fellowship with spirit filled leadership, we would not descend to the same level as the ungodly and demonic author of the article have descended in their attempts to foist upon us this great evil of bigotry.”
“Neither will we descend to responding to outright lies, quotes and statements cooked up in the minds of evil people”.
In its defense to address some facts to clarify and expose issues and lies raised by the article. PFN said, “Apostle Enyinnaya Okwuonu became the Chairman of the Lagos Chapter following the unfortunate demise of our beloved former Chairman, Bishop Sola Ore two years into his 2nd tenure. As the Vice Chairman, Apostle Enyinnaya Okwuonu completed Bishop Ore’s tenure which ended in 2022”.
PFN stated further, “meanwhile, Apostle Okwuonu only served two years as State Chairman and not 8 years as the fictitious Jesulere James falsely claimed.”
“With this, Apostle Okwuonu is well qualified to serve for another 4 years if it pleases the national leadership to appoint him”, the statement declared and stated that, this singular fact reversed the lies of the derogatory article purposed to tarnish the image and reputation of PFN and it’s leadership.
PFN said, it is obvious that the architects of the article are neither believers in Christ Jesus and members of the fellowship who do not understand that in Christ Jesus there’s no room for ethnic, social or gender division and as a fellowship, PFN has a well laid out constitutional principles that guide how it’s leaders are called into service.
The author and sponsors of the senile article are trying to ethnicize the fellowship and cause division in the body of Christ for their selfish and political reasons which was made clear with the use of political slang and references to political issues of the day, which PFN as a fellowship will do all that is possible to refused any attempt of intimidation from any quarter to politicalized its objectives.
We see this as an attempt to manipulate and corrupt the processes by which our leaders are chosen and to put pressure on our national leaders to now tow the lines of ethnic politics. It is therefore a shame that ethnicity and bigotry have become a thing in our days and because of politics.
“We do not have a Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa or any other ethnic Church, we have one Church over whom Jesus is Lord, our leaders are not chosen based on where they come from but rather who they are in Christ Jesus”, PFN stated.
Commenting on the State Secretariat building project, PFN said, “it is pertinent to state that the building project including the funding is handled by an independent Committee headed by the Deeper Christian Life Bible Church Lead Architect, who are the primary financiers of the building project where PFN Executive has no hand in disbursement of the fund and simple enquiry would have confirm this.”
PFN calls on leaders and members of the Church in Lagos State to reject any corruptive motive through clandestine activities as sentimentally expressed in the publication. The body also advised church leaders and believers to hold on to the truth of the Word and walk in harmony and love as commanded by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
While appreciating concerned brethren, Christian leaders and others who spiritedly rose to condemn the despicable attempt to corrupt the church. PFN noted with surprise the inability of the Sahara Reporters to reach out for its response on the weighty allegations before going public. “This, in our opinion, would have been the decent and professional thing to do”, PFN noted.
