PFN Strongly Rejects Same-Faith Ticket, Warning Political Parties Against Shutting Out Millions of Christians

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has issued a stern warning to political leaders and major parties against fielding same-faith presidential tickets, cautioning that bypassing religious balance threatens the country’s fragile unity and national stability.

Speaking through its National President, Bishop Wale Oke, following a national executive council assembly, the prominent Christian body made its position clear: any political strategy that excludes Christians from executive power-sharing is unacceptable and counterproductive to national peace. PFN highlighted that in a multireligious nation, top leadership must visibly reflect national diversity rather than polarize citizens along faith lines.

According to the fellowship, the unwritten convention of balancing Christian and Muslim representation on national presidential tickets has long served as a vital shock absorber against religious friction. Abandoning this balance in favor of a same-faith pairing sends a dangerous signal of exclusion to millions of citizens across the country.

“A same-faith ticket violates the foundational principles of fairness, equity, and balance,” stated PFN National President, Bishop Wale Oke. “Nigeria belongs to all of us, and no religious group should be shut out or treated as secondary in the governance of our nation. Political parties must understand that national cohesion and mutual trust are far more important than short-term political calculations.”

Beyond issuing warnings to party strategists, PFN called on Christian communities nationwide to turn their concerns into active civic participation. The fellowship urged all eligible citizens to register, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and turn out in large numbers to vote for candidates who demonstrate a commitment to fairness, justice, and inclusive governance.

As political parties refine their candidate selections and campaign blueprints, PFN’s firm stance reinforces growing calls from civil society and faith leaders for political actors to unite the country rather than deepen religious fault lines.