The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has restated her call for restructuring, which has now become even more urgent, given the increasing push on the part of different groups towards tendencies that favour division rather than unity.
“We note, with concern, the restiveness in different parts of the country and we are of the opinion that concerted efforts have to be urgently made by the government to reassure Nigerians that their interests will continue to be guaranteed within the Nigerian entity,” said PFN in a statement signed by Simbo Olorunfemi, on behalf of Felix Omobude, the National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
The statement was made after the joint meeting of the national advisory council and the national executive council at the Bishop’s Court, PFN National Headquarters in Lagos.
The umbrella body of Pentecostal churches in Nigeria posits that the calls validate the long-standing position of the PFN and her consistent appeal, over the years, to the government to pay attention to the callers and activate the necessary mechanism for it.
PFN therefore, restated her belief in the unity of Nigeria and a commitment to one Nigeria where people of different faiths and tongues can continue to live together as one. However, we call on the government to do all it can to assuage the fears and concerns of everyone and ensure the practice of federalism in its true form.
“We urge the government to pay attention to the calls for restructuring and find a way to push for further devolution of powers, while adopting an all-inclusive approach to governance and development in the country,” PFN stated.
The PFN therefore, urged government to do more in responding to the heightened level of poverty in the land and institute further measures to address the hardship being faced by the people, especially in the face of the downturn in the economy made worse by Covid-19 pandemic.
“The PFN is concerned about the allegations consistently made about apparent lopsided appointments into sensitive positions by the Federal Government, alleged to favour one part of the country over the other.
“We urge President Buhari and the Federal Government to adopt an all-inclusive approach, not just in the manner of its appointments, but to ensure that there is a noticeable balance across ethnic and religious divides so as not to exacerbate the increasing mistrust along ethnic and religious lines in the country,” it further said.
