Bishop Wale Oke, national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has accused attackers across the country of carrying out targeted killings, rape and displacement of Christians, describing the situation as an ongoing genocide.
Oke spoke at a dinner held to mark the 40th anniversary of the PFN, warning that the fellowship would no longer remain silent in the face of persistent attacks on Christian communities and urged the government to act decisively to stop the killings.
The PFN president said: “Our members in their millions all over are praying for this nation every single day as a matter of duty. We do it in our homes, assemblies, services; we fast and pray for Nigeria. The positive impacts of PFN in this country and beyond are immeasurable.
“Pentecostals, our members, are everywhere, in every ward, every local government, every state across the country, shining as the light of the world, impacting this nation. Our strongest weapon is spiritual.”
President Bola Tinubu, represented at the event by Daniel Bwala, his special adviser on policy communication, commended the PFN for its role in keeping the nation peaceful and stable.
Tinubu said there are communities in Nigeria that suffer because of their faith, adding that Christians have been victims of various challenges.
“My administration recognises there are communities in Nigeria who, because of their faith, have become subjects of one form of problem or the other.
“The administration recognises that there are challenges. The Christians in Nigeria have also been the victims of challenges. Loss of every life is regrettable. This administration calls upon all citizens of the country to pray, and as you pray, it is the commitment of this administration that we watch over the city,” he stated.
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the steadfast prayers of Christians have contributed to the country’s progress.
He described the PFN as a moral and spiritual compass for the nation and commended the fellowship for its role in promoting unity and community development over the past four decades.
His words: “We must thank PFN, its leaders and members across the country for their prayers which God is answering in several dimensions.
“PFN has been a moral, spiritual compass for the nation. We have seen stability in several forms through your prayers. We are seeing changes and improvements through your prayers. Keep praying for this nation in belief and faith because this country has a bright future and, guided by a moral compass, this nation will not be misled in any form.”