Bishop Francis Wale Oke has been re-elected as the National President pf The Pentecostal Fellowship Of Nigeria(PFN) for another four-year term, Headlineswave.ng
The election took place during the PFN’s 18th National Biennial Conference at the Glory Dome in Abuja, which commenced on Tuesday, February 11, 2025,.
Dr. Ilechukwu who previously served as the National Secretary of the PFN was elected Deputy President.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) was formed in 1985 as a unifying body for Pentecostal and Charismatic churches in Nigeria. It was established to provide a collective voice for Pentecostal Christians and to foster unity, spiritual growth, and national influence among member churches.
The current National Executive Leadership of the PFN includes:
- National President: Bishop Francis Wale Oke (re-elected)
- National Deputy President: Dr. Cosmas Ilechukwu
- National Secretary: Bishop David Bakare
- National Treasurer: Dr. Sam Aboyeji
These leaders were elected to serve for a four-year term, guiding the PFN in its mission to unite and support Pentecostal churches across Nigeria.
The election was decided by the National Advisory Council(NAC) of the PFN which include Pastor EO Adeboye, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Adeferasin, Bishop Jonas Katung, Pastor Paul Enenche, Bishop Wale Oke, Bishop John Praise Daniel among others..
The NAC is made up of:
1. Former Leaders who have previously held the office of the National President
2. Senior Pentecostal Leaders, Arch Bishops, Bishops and General Overseers of major Pentecostal denominations in Nigeria.
3. Zonal and PFN executives representing different regions of the country.
4. Strategic church leaders from major Pentecostal ministries and churches affiliate with PFN
Headlineswave exclusively reports that there was significant pressure to zone the PFN presidency to the North, as no northerner has ever held the position since the organization’s inception forty years ago. A prominent Nigerian politician was sported within the arena of the election.
Archbishop John Praise Daniel, the outgoing National Vice President, had initially expressed interest in the presidency and was widely expected to win. However, he lost the backing of some key leaders, who unexpectedly shifted their support to Prophet Isa El-Buba, a prominent northern Pentecostal figure.
Despite this push, a consensus could not be built around Prophet El-Buba’s candidacy. As a result, the election proceeded with Bishop Wale Oke and Archbishop John Praise Daniel as the main contenders. Ultimately, Wale Oke secured victory, leading to John Praise’s defeat. Since he had contested for the presidency, he was also unable to retain his position.
Bishop Oke secured 15 votes, while his deputy, Archbishop John Praise Daniel, received 12 votes. As a result, Archbishop Daniel was not re-elected to his previous position. The National Advisory Council, comprising past presidents and senior members of the fellowship, served as the voting body for this election.
Following his re-election, President Bola Tinubu extended his congratulations to Bishop Oke, commending his efforts in promoting religious harmony and national renewal through initiatives like the ‘Nigeria Turning Point Prayer Movement.’ President Tinubu described Bishop Oke as a man of integrity, principle, and faith, encouraging him to continue spreading messages of love, kindness, and peace as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Bishop Oke, the founder and presiding bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries International and Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University, was first elected as PFN National President in 2021 after serving as Deputy President. His re-election affirms the confidence of the PFN community in his leadership and vision for the fellowship.
PFN was formed due to the growing influence of Pentecostalism in Nigeria and the need for an organized body to represent the interests of Pentecostal churches. It operates under the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as its Pentecostal wing.
Past Presidents of PFN
- Rev. J.O. Boyejo (1985 – 1992) – The first national president and a key figure in the establishment of PFN.
- Archbishop Benson Idahosa (1992 – 1998) – A pioneer of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, he expanded the influence of PFN.
- Pastor E.A. Adeboye (1998 – 2006) – General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), he strengthened the organizational structure.
- Bishop Mike Okonkwo (2006 – 2010) – Founder of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), he emphasized unity and spiritual growth.
- Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (2010 – 2013) – Later became the first Pentecostal president of CAN, advocating for Christian rights in Nigeria.
- Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude (2013 – 2020) – Founder of Gospel Light International Ministries, he led PFN through a period of modernization.
- Bishop Wale Oke (2020 – Present) – Founder of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, focusing on revival and national transformation.
PFN continues to be a strong voice for Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, promoting unity and engagement in national issues.
