As Nigeria prepares to celebrate its 65th independence anniversary, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called on government at all levels to empower citizens, punish corruption without fear or favour, and guarantee the independence of the electoral process to strengthen democracy.
Speaking in Lagos at a press briefing to mark the fellowship’s 40th anniversary, Tuesday, PFN’s President, Bishop Wale Oke, lamented that “Nigerians are in agony and in pain. They are struggling to survive more than ever before. Please, listen to the cries of the populace.”
He therefore called on governments to take urgent action to rescue the economy, describing the current situation as one of the darkest in Nigeria’s history.
Oke expressed concern over the collapse of the naira, describing it as not just an economic tragedy but a humiliation for citizens.
He said: “When you devalue people’s money, you devalue their lives. I never thought I would live to see one dollar at ₦1,500. In 1985, with ₦500, I got $865. At that time, one naira was almost equal to one pound and two dollars. What has happened to us?”
He warned that unless decisive steps were taken to stabilise the currency and rebuild confidence, Nigerians would continue to lose faith in their leaders.
On governance, the PFN leader insisted that Nigeria’s fight against corruption must be insulated from politics. He cautioned that the EFCC and ICPC must not be turned into instruments of persecution, stressing: “Let’s punish corruption wherever it is found. Anybody guilty should be severely punished. But the anti-corruption agencies must operate neutrally, without government interference.”
The faith-based organisation also placed emphasis on the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system, calling for complete autonomy for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to Oke, credible elections are impossible without institutional independence, noting that “If INEC is under the thumb of government, then the one who pays the piper dictates the tune. For democracy to thrive, the commission must be truly independent.”
On unemployment, Oke urged government to adopt a grassroots-driven approach to job creation. He suggested establishing cottage industries across all 774 local government areas, each designed to absorb at least 500 young people.
“Government must invest more in education and healthcare. Many schools still lack roofs and furniture, while hospitals remain poorly equipped. Why must our leaders fly abroad for treatment? Equip one tertiary hospital in each geopolitical zone to global standards and Nigerians will regain confidence in our system,” he said.
The PFN President further cautioned politicians against reducing citizens to beggars through token handouts. According to him, such acts entrench poverty and weaken democracy, advising rather that politicians should empower citizens with livelihoods.
Reflecting on the PFN’s journey since its establishment in 1985, its Lagos State Chairman, Pastor Yemi Davies, said the body had played a significant role in stabilising society despite governance failures.
He argued that without the interventions of churches in education and social services, Nigeria would have sunk deeper into crime and fraud.
He said: “PFN churches have consistently cushioned government’s lapses by establishing universities, schools, and scholarship schemes that also provide massive employment. Nigeria would have been worse without the stabilising role of the church.”
Davies admitted, however, that the enormity of national challenges often made it appear that the fellowship was not doing enough.
Looking ahead, Davies disclosed that PFN was investing in governance training for its members to raise a new generation of leaders who can resist corruption and drive reform.
He said: “The same way we train pastors for ministry, we are now training people for politics and governance. Out of them, Josephs and Esthers will rise,” adding that while Nigeria’s entrenched corruption culture had overwhelmed many, the fellowship was committed to building capacity for a different future.
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