Group Rejects Endorsement Of Sanwo-Olu By PFN

Members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria have been cautioned on the need to be wary of the endorsement syndrome that is taking supposed men of God off the course of the gospel they represent.

This formed the thrust of a press conference jointly addressed by the Apostolic Round Table and Pentecostal Family Network conveners on Monday March 6, 2023 in Opebi area of Lagos State.

The Convener of Apostolic Round Table, Pastor Bolaji Akinyemi said that the body had petitioned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the alleged unwholesome conduct of the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of PFN.

The body queried his public endorsement of Governor Sanwo-Olu, stating unequivocally that it was unethical for him to do as the face of the PFN face in the state.

“People that are conducting themselves in an unethical manner, endorsing a political candidate is not biblical.

“Even when Joseph was preferred amongst his brethren, but the father coded his preferential love in a coat of many colours made for him alone.

“Our fathers of faith in this country such as Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Kumuyi of Deeper Christian Life Church and Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel and others have not openly endorsed a candidate, this is unpardonable in PFN.

“Given the embarrassing manner our election is being conducted, it is unethical for our fathers to do what they did, we really want to ascertain if our fathers mentioned initially are part of this endorsement, we need to hear from them," he said.

Earlier the Convener of the Pentecostal Family Network, Pastor Femi Don Fergusson spoke on the need for neutrality of clerics, as regards public endorsement of political parties candidate, as this in his view smacks of a compromised church.

“On Saturday we want to go into the election as one fold not as a multiple fold. Uniformity must be maintained.

“We will not allow those who want to make gains from politics to embarrass the body of Christ. 

“In the body of Christ, we have people we listen to, that is why there must be a reaction from them on this development, we will no more tolerate banditry in Christendom.

“We have many parties fielding candidates who are Christians in  APC, APGA, ADC, LP and others. Few individuals cannot come out to disgrace and disorganise us," he said.

On the alleged threats by some faceless group that Igbos should not go out to vote on Saturday, Pastor Fergusson noted that the main backers of Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, contrary to the widely held views, are majorly Yorubas.

“No person or Yoruba man is telling Igbo not to vote, Yourbas are the ones promoting Peter Obi, even the oldest Yoruba Socio-Cultural group, Afenifere publicly affirmed their support for him, we will not give in to banditry in Christendom.

“Tell everybody to go out and vote, Saturday election will be the most peaceful one," Pastor Fergusson said.