By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) says members of the Pentecostal Bishops Forum of Northern Nigeria, who met with Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday, in Abuja, are not part of the fellowship.
Deputy National Secretary of the PFN, Bishop David Bakare, while speaking to journalists in Kaduna, said such group did not exist within the PFN fold.
Bakare said that the forum was not known to the PFN, reiterating that there was nothing in PFN that was regional-based like Southern or Northern Pentecostal Bishops.
Bakare maintained that the PFN is an arm of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and that the position of the fellowship on same faith presidential ticket of the APC has not changed.
He, therefore, averred that the meeting between Tinubu and the so-called Pentecostal Bishops Forum of Northern Nigeria has nothing to do with the PFN.
“I am speaking to you officially and authoritatively that the ranks of the Christian community and of course, the PFN, which I represent, is not broken at all.
“The Pentecostal Bishops Forum of Northern Nigeria is not known to the PFN.
“The forum does not have any affiliation or relationship with the PFN that is registered with the government of this nation,” he noted.
He also said the position of the PFN on the same faith ticket jas not changed.
“On same faith ticket, we still stand as it was in the beginning and we have not, for any reason, shifted our position on that matter.
“The PFN was not a part of the meeting with the presidential candidate that was highly politicised.
“We are, however, aware of the ripples in the public domain about this matter.
“I am speaking officially to clarify that the PFN has nothing to do with that organisation.
“We didn’t take such a decision; we have not met that political party and whatever we will do would be in the public domain.
“That group is on their own and has nothing to do with the real incorporated PFN.
“I looked at the photos (from the meeting) and the names. I could recognised about two people who are our members, but they speak for themselves,” he admitted.
He said all Pentecostal leaders in Nigeria, from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Living Faith, Mountain of Fire and House on the Rock, among others, speak with one voice.
“Finally, I wish to let you know that there is nothing in PFN that is regional-based like Southern or Northern Pentecostal Bishops.
“As a matter of fact, the PFN does not have any settings for Bishops. What we have is PFN, we do not separate Bishops of Pentecostal from other clergy of Pentecostals.
“PFN is just one body under which all Bishops, Pastors and members are lined up behind Bishop Francis Wale, the President.
“We stand by our decision; we have not and will not bend to the dictate of any political group.
“It doesn’t matter what politicians will want to do, the truth and the joy is that the PFN is not divided on its position.
“Individuals can form an association, but when it comes to the body called PFN, there is no change in our position and we have not authorised anybody to hold a meeting,” he concluded
What's your reaction?
