PFN Urges Truly Independent INEC, Calls for Sustainable Poverty Solutions

The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, has called for a genuinely independent Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credible elections in Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday to mark the 40th anniversary of PFN, Bishop Oke emphasized that only a non-partisan and corruption-free electoral body could guarantee free and fair polls.

“For INEC to be truly independent, it must operate without government interference. He who pays the piper calls the tune. Nigerians deserve elections free from manipulation and corruption,” he stated.

Bishop Oke also criticized the practice of distributing cash to the poor as a poverty alleviation strategy, describing it as a short-term measure that fosters dependency. “Giving money to people does not eliminate poverty. It deepens reliance on handouts and makes citizens vulnerable to manipulation during elections,” he said.

The cleric urged the Federal Government to focus on strengthening the economy and stabilizing the naira. On job creation, he proposed establishing cottage industries in all 774 local government areas, which could provide employment for at least 500 youths per council and help curb crime.

On governance, Oke stressed that anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), must operate independently, free from political interference.

He further called on Nigerians to play an active role in national development rather than solely blaming the government for the country’s challenges.

The PFN President highlighted that the 40th anniversary, themed “PFN Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” will be celebrated nationwide on October 19 to honor the contributions of past and present PFN members. He reaffirmed the fellowship’s commitment to prayers for Nigeria, support for good governance, and the global spread of revival.