AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
His Eminence, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has secured a second term as the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), reaffirming his leadership of the influential Christian organization.
With this re-election, Bishop Oke will continue to steer the affairs of the PFN, a body that represents millions of Pentecostal Christians across the country, for another four years.
Since his first election in 2021, Bishop Oke has led the PFN with a focus on unity and spiritual growth. He is also the Founder of Sword of the Spirit Ministries International, headquartered in Ibadan, Oyo State, and serves as the Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), also in Ibadan.
Bishop Oke’s journey in ministry began in his home fellowship in Ibadan, later serving as a Bible Study leader under Pastor Enoch Adeboye in Christ Redeemers Ministry. During his time at the University of Lagos, he played a pivotal role in the Lagos Varsity Christian Union, where he served as Bible Study Secretary before becoming the President for two and a half years.
On March 3, 2021, he was elected as the seventh President of PFN by the National Advisory Council for a four-year term, following his tenure as Deputy President.
Expressing his gratitude for the re-election, Bishop Oke shared on his Instagram page:
“Honoured to be re-elected as President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ. Galatians 3:28.”
In the lead-up to his re-election, Bishop Oke faced opposition from certain quarters, with some attempting to discredit his leadership. A newspaper report published on January 26, titled “Rumbling in PFN: Why Bishop Wale Oke May Not Be Re-Elected,” alleged poor performance under his administration.
However, Dr. Emmah Gospel Isong, PFN’s National Publicity Secretary, dismissed these claims as politically motivated. He described the allegations as baseless and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the bishop’s reputation ahead of the February 2025 biennial conference, where his re-election was due.
The PFN’s 18th National Biennial Conference, which commenced on February 11 at the Glory Dome of Dunamis Church in Abuja, is set to conclude on February 14.
