The National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Archbishop Wale Oke, is facing opposition to his potential re-election, as some senior leaders within the body accuse him of non-performance.
Elected in 2023 for a two-year term, Oke is due for re-election during the PFN’s biennial conference in February 2025. However, critics argue that his tenure has seen a decline in the Fellowship’s vibrancy, a stark contrast to the leadership of predecessors like Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
Henzodaily reports that PFN, Nigeria’s largest Christian body, comprises influential churches such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), and Deeper Life Bible Church. It is also a key member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Despite its prominence, some leaders feel the PFN’s contributions under Oke have been lackluster.
A senior leader lamented to Vanguard, “This is a critical time for Nigeria, yet the PFN has been largely silent on national discourse under Oke’s leadership. Press statements, media appearances, and impactful programmes have been rare, leaving the Fellowship’s influence diminished.”
The lack of leadership was exemplified by the Lagos PFN branch, which reportedly operated without direction for a year due to what some described as a loss of control by the national leadership.
Tensions escalated recently when Mama Margaret Idahosa, Archbishop of the Church of God Mission, openly accused Oke of failing to keep a promise.
Speaking at the 70th birthday celebration of Bishop David Oyedepo, attended by prominent figures such as Pastor E.A. Adeboye and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Idahosa remarked, “Wale Oke, I have forgiven everything because he promised me and he did not come… but he is all under the lamb.”
Her statement resonated with other PFN leaders, who echoed frustrations over Oke’s leadership, accusing him of not fulfilling his promises to keep the Fellowship vibrant.
Amid growing discontent, there is a push within the PFN for a new president but it remains unclear if a consensus candidate has been identified.