The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has kicked against the adoption of Muslim-Muslim ticket for elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the political leadership of the country should reflect the nation’s religious and ethnic diversities.
The Christian body said this in a communiqué issued after its meeting of the National Executive Council and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Sylvanus Ukafia.
This is coming after the All Progressives Congress (APC) adopted President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, both Muslims, for the 2027 presidential election.
PFN said it believed that inclusion was necessary to engender trust and a sense of belonging among the citizens, reiterating its commitment to the unity and stability of Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s diversity should be reflected in leadership”
The fellowship said, “The National Executive Council, NEC, of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) at its duly constituted meeting has taken into consideration recent events affecting the country and wishes to announce the following resolutions to the Nigerian public.
The PFN reiterates its commitment to the oneness, peace and progress of Nigeria. We still believe that our country can only succeed where there is justice, equity, the rule of law and respect for the Constitution.
“The PFN is not in support of the adoption of a Muslim-Muslim ticket to contest for elective public office. Nigeria is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country and its leadership should reflect its diversity. Inclusive governance promotes national unity, mutual trust and belonging to all citizen.”
The body argued that political arrangements must take into account the plural nature of Nigeria and not give the impression that any religious group was being excluded.
PFN Speaks Out Against Bans on Preaching
The fellowship also opposed any proposed legislation or policy that might limit Christian preaching.
It said it “strongly opposes any law or policy that seeks to ban or unduly restrict Christian preaching.”
According to the PFN, such legislation would be “inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees every citizen the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, expression and peaceful assembly.
The fellowship recognised the power of government to make legal provisions in the interest of public order, but cautioned against using such regulations to limit religious liberty.
It said: “While the PFN supports a legal framework that is necessary to preserve the peace, such regulation should never be a tool to suppress legitimate religious expression and violate fundamental human rights.
“We call on all arms and tiers of government to defend the Constitution, protect the rights of every Nigerian irrespective of faith and ensure that no law discriminates against any religious community.”
The PFN also urged Christians across the country to be peaceful and law abiding in the exercise of their constitutional rights.
It urged believers to remain “peaceful, prayerful, law-abiding and steadfast. “We must continue to show the love of Christ while exercising our constitutional rights responsibly without violence or provocation.
The fellowship also urged for continuous dialogue among the government, religious organisations and civil society groups on issues that may threaten national unity.
We call for meaningful dialogue among the government, religious leaders and civil society to address issues that threaten our national cohesion. Nigeria’s diversity should be a strength to be harnessed and not a weakness to be exploited.
“The PFN remains committed to praying for our nation and to working with all stakeholders to forge a Nigeria that is peaceful, just and prosperous where every citizen is afforded equal protection under the law,” the statement said.