No Crisis Rocking PFN, Says Spokesman Isong

The National Publicity Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Archbishop Emmah Isong, has dismissed rumors suggesting that there is a crisis within the leadership of the fellowship.

Isong made this clarification in a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP on Monday in Calabar, Cross River State. The cleric expressed his surprise and dismay over a publication in a national daily, which claimed that the PFN leadership was in disarray and questioned the capacity of Archbishop Dr. Wale Oke, the PFN National President, to continue leading the fellowship if reelected for a second term.

“I think the fellow misfired. I have seen that national daily featured by the young man. I wish to tell you that there is no storm whatsoever in the PFN,” Isong said. “There are no schisms in our great fellowship, and our national president, His Eminence, Archbishop Dr. Francis Wale Oke, is leading the fellowship robustly.”

Isong stressed that under Archbishop Oke’s leadership, PFN had experienced unprecedented unity and friendship, noting that the fellowship had never been more vibrant. “Never had the PFN enjoyed a high apex of relationship like this,” he added.

The PFN spokesperson also questioned the credibility of the individual behind the publication, pointing out that if anyone were to speak on behalf of the fellowship, it would be him as the national publicity secretary. “I think it’s a roadside discussion. It’s street talk that doesn’t hold water,” Isong remarked.

Isong went on to highlight several achievements of Archbishop Oke’s leadership, including the promotion of peace, unity, and love within the fellowship. “Oke has brought peace, unity across the 36 states and local government chapters of the PFN,” he said, adding that Oke had also mentored a new generation of strong, young leaders within the fellowship.

This is the first time the PFN has established a second national secretariat, with the new office being set up in Abuja. For over 40 years, the national secretariat had been in Lagos. “Now we are going to have another secretariat in Abuja, this has never been so,” Isong noted.

He further highlighted the ongoing 40-day fasting and prayer for Nigeria, a testament to Oke’s proactive leadership in rallying the church for prayer.

Describing Oke as a man of integrity and wisdom, Isong reaffirmed his capacity to lead the Christian body. “The wisdom has helped strengthen the administration of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria,” he said, emphasizing Oke’s tireless work with the National Advisory Council to elevate the body of Christ.