Archbishop Dr. Emmah Gospel Isong, is National Publicity Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria PFN who knows his onions as far as issues of PFN are concerned. In this interview with National compass, Isong reacted to a piece authored by one Olalekan Bilesanmi where he alleged that Mama Idahosa, one of the Nigeria’s mothers of faith had drawn conclusion that Archbishop Dr Wale Oke’s reelection bid for the position of PFN National President would not scale through due to incompetence. NSAN NDOMA -NEJI brings you Excerpts of that Interview.
Going by a publication by one Olalekan Bilesanmi of a certain National Daily who claimed to have spoken with some senior leaders of the PFN that a mother of faith accused Dr. WALE Oke of not keeping the fellowship vibrant and that as a result of that, the PFN has gone down to voice mail. Is this assertion true ?
Yes I have seen that national daily that featured one Mr. Olalekan Bilesanmi as a misfired write up. I wish to tell you that there is no storm in the PFN, and there are no schism in the great fellowship and our National President His Eminence, Archbishop Dr. Francis ‘Wale Oke, is leading the fellowship robustly, in his leadership,we have found greater moment of unity and friendship. Never had the Pentecostal fellowship enjoyed this apex of relationship. To me, never had the fellowship been this vibrant. I don’t know who the said journalist spoke with. I am the national publicity secretary, if anybody was to speak according to him to leaders of Pentecostal Fellowship he should have mistakenly contacted me for that information. I think it’s a roadside discussion. It’s a street talk that doesn’t hold water.
What is your assessment of the performance of the current National President of PFN?
Like I said there are five things that stand out for His Eminence Dr Wale Oke, since he became National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, number one, is the atmosphere of peace and love, unity friendship in the fellowship. He has inculcated all across the 36 states of the federation both in the state chapters and local government chapters of the Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria. Secondly Dr. Wale Oke, has been able to bring the fellowship to a point that we have raised strong leaders , young generation leaders, a new generation leadership called the generation next of PFN. That has never been.
Thirdly, for the first time, we have acquired a strategic portion of land for our second national Secretariat in Abuja. Our National Secretariat had been in Lagos in the past 40 years and now we are going to have another Secretariat in Abuja.
Fourth, Dr. Wale Oke, instituted a 40 days of prayer and fasting for our nation Nigeria. His prayerfulness and proactiveness has woken up the church.
Fifth, Dr. Wale Oke’s divine wisdom has helped strengthened the administration of the Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria as he carries along the National Advisory council , National Executive Council, never have we been so united.
Is it true that PFN is having a biennial confab and election in Abuja come February 2025 if so, what are the preparations like ?
Yes the PFN is having its 18th National Biennial conference at Glory Dome of the Dunamis church on Airport road, Abuja from February 11 — 14, 2025. It is within the period of that biennial conference the Elections will surely hold as we are being reminded by the writers of that unscrupulous article. PFN Elections is a very seelamless and private exercise and is not for show. We don’t advertise it. Is not like what we have in the world. Previously the process had produced credible leaders like Late Papa Benson Idahosa, Papa Adeboye, Papa Okonkwo, even recently Papa Ayo Oritjasefor who had ruled for 8 years handed over to Papa Felix Omubude himself led the fellowship for 8 years, and Dr Wale Oke is just ending his four years and of course he is constitutionally entitled for another four years come February 2025 when the fathers of faith will gather to appreciate him for what he has accomplished.
Are you seeing those accusing The National President of incompetence as a ploy to limit his chances for a second term ?
We don’t campaign in PFN, nor lobby. We don’t politicize our policy. But if the people that ran this article has that in mind, the it’s just like a storm in the tea cup, because the Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria, have their own wise, Holy Ghost way of choosing their leaders. Some one like Dr. Wale Oke rose within the ranks and file of the Pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria. He has been a state leader, he has been a regional leader, he has been even a National Vice President (South West). He rose to become a Deputy National President and now he is the National President. We have our own processes that throw up our leaders devoid of campaigns, devoid of rumblings, devoid of politicizing and backstabbing. We don’t do that kind of politics. We don’t even play open politics. It is when the fathers of faith gather and pray, of course like you see in the Acts 13, the Holy Spirit will speak and they will bring up the new leadership. It is very clear that they will choose the right person. They had never chosen wrongly.
All the past leaders that PFN have had are from God. We don’t choose our leaders on the pages of newspapers. We choose our leaders from after prayers and intercessions.
Is it really true that Mama Idahosa accused the PFN National President Dr. Wale Oke, of not keeping to his promises?
No, No, No Mama Idahosa and Archbishop Wale Oke’s relationship is very like mother and son’s relationship. The incident somebody maybe be referring to happened last year during Dr. Oyedepo’s 70th birthday. Mama was speaking as a mother and was teasing the national president like to say don’t abandon me, don’t forsake me ooh. And they laughed together. It wasn’t something that should be on air. It wasn’t something like an accusation. If you know Mama Idahosa very well. She does that to me and indeed every of her sons. We enjoy her motherhood and simplicity. She is one of the pillars and founding Matriach of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. She is a builder and an encouragement to all. She has a robust and sound relationship with the National President of PFN. Always supports the President in all projects and programmes of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.
