Name Bribe-Takers or keep shut, PFN tells Amaechi

UMBRELLA body of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, yesterday officially reacted to an allegation that some pastors had collected the sum of N6 billion from politicians for the purpose of influencing their members to vote a certain candidate in next Saturday’s election, challenging Gov. Rotini Amaechi to reveal the culprits.

Making a brief remarks at the closing service of the 13 biennial national conference at the TREM headquarters in Anthony Village, Lagos, the national president of PFN, Rev. Felix Omobude assured the modest congregation that PFN has nothing to do with the alleged bribe taking because “it is not in our character.”

Taking a cue from two leaders of the Fellowship, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and the president of Living Faith Church, Dr, David Oyedepo who spoke earlier, Dr. Omobude said the governor should substantiate his claims by naming names.

“I challenge Nigerian journalists to help the Nigerian nation by asking the governor to go the whole hug by revealing names of the pastors who had taken monies for such unholy endeavor and who had given our collective wealth to a few pastors,” he appealed.

Continuing, Omobude urged all Christians across the country who have not collected their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, to take advantage of the remaining few days to collect same to enable to actively participate in the electoral process, stressing that PFN is not partisan because the churches represent all the political parties in the land.

“We will not be partisan. We are not partisan. We are recommending any candidate for you instead we urge you to pray and vote wisely. You must ask questions before you cast your vote. You must not mortgage your future for a bag of rice or a few Mao notes. Your four vote is very important and your must use it wisely.

“Do not use your hand to vote for someone who will fight you tomorrow. It is important that we use our votes wisely in the coming elections. We must come out to cast our ballot for any of the candidates that build a Nigeria of our dreams”, he said.

He called on all Pentecostal ministers in the country to ensure that they help to put the house in order, stressing that PFN must hold on to the values handed to us and must pass on the flame of love and oneness.

According to Omobude, God has been good to the Nigerian Church, adding that there are many nations in the world so blessed, noting yet “we have our shortcomings. We have our challenges. We must put our house in order. Enough is enough of indiscipline.”

He noted that God did not bless the Nigerian Church not to compete with one another. As you leave this conference, please you must not forget our heritage. Pentecostalism which started in Nigeria in a very small scale has grown to become a major voice in the country.

According to him, “we can harness this tremendous growth to renew our values,” stressing that he was tired of hearing stories of 60-year old men defiling 12-year old girls and they are said to be pastors.

Vanguard, February 07, 2015

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