The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is currently shopping for a
candidate to occupy the president's position.
The tenure of the incumbent, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, will expire in
February 2013.
Oritsejafor had in 2010 indicated his intention to relinquish his
position as PFN president owing to increased activities and
commitments, as the head of the Christian Association of Nigeria, but
he was asked to complete his tenure to promote unity within the body.
With his tenure gradually coming to an end, and his desire not to seek
re-election, the coast is clear for interested candidates to express
their interest and present their unique selling points to get what is
considered as the most influential position in the Pentecostal
movement.
A document made available to Saturday PUNCH by a PFN source, said that
Pastor Wale Adefarasin, Pastor Wale Oke, Rev Felix Omobude were among
the frontrunners for the position.
Election into the soon-to-be-vacant seat is scheduled to hold in February.
Although Pastor Taiwo Odukoya was said to be a preferred choice for
the position, he was said to have declined interest in the job, thus
making way for Adefarasin and the others.
The document said, "However, now that the race for the PFN presidency
is gathering steam, candidates have continued to signify their
interest in the office.
"The candidate who has always been on the move wooing people to
support his candidature is Oke.
He's said to enjoy a close relationship with Oritsejafor, being the
National Vice-President (South-West).
"Meanwhile, Wale's choice was applauded by all because of his
unassuming, suave and gentlemanly disposition to issues. And indeed,
Adefarasin's tenure as Lagos PFN chairman did restore unity, direction
and integrity to the body. That feat might have been a factor that
earned him the office of the National Secretary when Oritsejafor
succeeded Okonkwo.
"Pastor Paul Adefarasin is also said to have been working assiduously
behind the scene to succeed Oritsejafor but he noticed that
thenational leaders would prefer him to wait for his turn.
"A group of influential pastors in the Pentecostal fold is backing
(Wale) Adefarasin for the race. With this development, Paul's ambition
may have to wait or never materialise if Wale should win.
"As at the last count, nobody can really say which direction the
national leaders are going because they determine who the next PFN
president would be. But it is obvious thatthe major contenders are:
Oke, Adefarasin and Felix Omobude."
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