PFN rejects calls for interim government, says it’s invitation to anarchy
National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has said the call for Interim Government after the successful conclusion of the 2023 general elections and winners declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is an invitation to anarchy.
Addressing the media in Lagos, yesterday, after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, President of the Fellowship, Bishop Wale Oke, said, “calling for an interim government is national anarchy. It is like inviting confusion and an attempt to abort democracy.
“Democracy evolves and then matures; everybody should give peace a chance, so that our democratic process is not truncated. We don’t need an Interim National Government, there is no reason for it, in every election, not everybody wins.”
The fellowship called on those who have been declared winners already to be magnanimous in victory, while it urged those who lost to be gallant in defeat, saying, “if you lose today, you can win tomorrow.”
In a message, titled; ‘Let Nigeria be and let democracy grow’, Oke said, “PFN as a body, says no categorically to Interim National Government, that is not needed. We are not in a situation where that is required, so, let’s give peace a chance.”
According to him, “Nigeria has just concluded a national election, after going through some years of pain, kidnapping, insecurities and troubles and we are aware in many cases the process is still on, some cases are already before the Election Petition Tribunals and we don’t need to pre-empt the conclusion of the court process.
“We need to appeal to Nigerians, the governments at the federal, state and local, political parties, presumed winners and losers at every level to remain calm and allow the judiciary to do its job. It is good at this time to remind us of the mortal word of one of past leaders in the past, ‘that we have no other country than our own, Nigeria is our nation.’
“So, we appeal that we should control our anger, disappointment or whatever, let the process of healing begin. Let’s come together as a nation, one indivisible nation and join hands to make sure we work for peace, unity and harmony.”
The cleric said by so doing, the country can make progress. “Elections come and go because there is a nation within which we can conduct elections. There are people who want to rule that nation and there are people who want to choose who to rule them.
“Let elections not tear up into pieces, if we manage this season well, there will be a nation in the future, where we will conduct elections and there will be winners and there will be people who are moving the nation forward.
“Let’s not burn the nation down, if we burn it down, it is coming on the heads of all of us. If you lose the election today, you stand the chance to win tomorrow; you don’t give up, but if I say because I am not declared the winner today, myself and my followers, we are going to burn Nigeria down, then all of us will be burnt. So, let’s be patient and allow the judiciary to finish its work and come together to promote peace in oneness.”
Oke said PFN is not relenting in praying for the country and those that have been declared winners. “We as a body and we are praying for those that have been declared winners that they will not give room for pride and arrogance. They will carry themselves with maturity and know that election will end and governance will begin and governance is for everybody including those you think did not vote for you or like you. So, our advice is that they should govern everybody in the fear of God.
“We also appeal to those who feel they have been cheated to go through the process established by the Constitution and prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. Let Nigeria be, so that another election will come and we will choose and you that lost yesterday may win tomorrow,” he said.
Related
Politics
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.