By Patrick Obia
Controversy is currently trailing the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Cross River State chapter as the religious organization dabbles into politics to choose its preferred governorship candidate in the March 11th polls in the State.
The Cross River chapter of PFN on Monday 6 March 2023 in a press statement signed by the State Chairman – Pastor Lawrence Ekwok, General Secretary – Apostle Frank Umo, and the State Director, Politics and Good Governance – Pastor Kyrian Ojong endorsed the governorship candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Sandy Onor as the Fellowship preferred candidate.
The State PFN said the selection of Sandy was done through secret balloting where a total of 429 leaders at the Local Government level voted and the PDP candidate scored 260 votes, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate – Sen. Bassey Otu had 114 votes, the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) candidate – Usani Usani scored 47 votes while 8 votes were voided.
The religious fathers however, “call on all members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN in all our member churches across the State to vote massively for the PDP governorship candidate in the March 11, 2023 governorship election, as the endorsement is the collective and unanimous decision of the leadership and membership of PFN Cross River State.”
But in a rebuttal issued by the National body of PFN, it prays the State level to tread with caution on how it wades into political matters as it is not a partisan platform.
The National while refuting the endorsement in a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bishop Emmah Isong admonished that “Though we have the constitutional rights to air our views let us avoid a situation where the enemy uses politics to divide the church of the living God.”
He added: “We have prayed and fasted. It is now time for God Almighty to help us cast our votes wisely this Saturday, March 11, 2023.”