Wilson Adekumola
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria through its Publicity Secretary, Bishop Emmah Isong, on Friday dispelled the reports that it has endorsed the Labour Party nor its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as insinuated.
According to The Punch, Isong, while clearing the doubt, described the rumours as “fake news” on social media at the ongoing 17th Biennial conference.
“I want you to know that nothing like that has happened in the history of the PFN.
“We have not endorsed any political party or any presidential candidate, rather what we have is the 17th Biennial Conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria titled, ‘More Than Conquerors,’ currently ongoing in Bayelsa state,” he said.
He said the conference is meant all Christians, especially those in power, to partner with the organisation, saying no candidate has been endorsed at the conference.
While urging Nigerians to disregard such news, Isong said it is nothing but fake news.
He the calmed on well-meaning Nigerians to ignore it as such news was aimed at tarnishing the image of PFN.
“We coincidentally had the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, former governor Mr. Peter Obi, same day, come into fellowship with us.
“And at no point did the National President his Eminence Bishop Dr. Wale Oke, nor fathers of faith of NEC endorse any presidential candidate or political party. That has not happened. I believe whatever you have read regarding that issue is junk and fake news.”
The body called on Christians in the country to check the antecedents of their candidates and vote according to their conscience, adding that it cannot force any Christian to vote for a particular candidate.
He urged supporters of political parties to stop seeking votes for their candidates on social media, adding “political campaign is beyond social media.”
He stated further PFN is apolitical and that its members belong to different political parties.
“Therefore, we will not make the mistake of endorsement at this point.
“We have not yet and never will endorse any political candidate for the 2023 elections. We asked our members to pray, wait for the Lord, and vote according to their conscience,” he said.