2027: ‘DON’T SIT ON THE FENCE, GET INVOLVED!’ – ARCHBISHOP EMMAH ISONG
As preparations for the 2027 elections begin to gather momentum, a major Christian body, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has urged her members to gear up for active participation in the process leading towards the actual general elections.
The national vice president of PFN South South, Archbishop Emmah Isong, made the appeal last week in an interview with our correspondent in Uyo. According to him, PFN as a body has always shown interest in national affairs, particularly in mobilizing her members to get involved in the electoral process, urging that Christians should not sit on the fence and expect a transformation to happen at the national and State levels but leverage their strength to ensure that they positively inuence the outcome of the forthcoming elections.
“I have observed that many Nigerians are disappointed with our political leaders as they not been able to fulll most of their electoral promises. And this has resulted in voters apathy. However, believers must not give up but continue to pray and work for better Nigeria by their participation in the ongoing preparation against the 2027 elections,” the Archbishop said. Urging the political leaders to deliver in their promises to the electorates, in order to encourage active participation in the future elections, he appealed to PFN members not to be discouraged to mobilize their members in each zone to register ahead of the next national elections.
He, however, acknowledged previous efforts of Christians especially in the South South zone of the nation for support for good governance, adding that more efforts be made to elect credible leaders, instead of sitting on the fence. He also praised the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno for delivering quality projects in Akwa Ibom State, and requested for more prayers and support for Pastor Umo Eno to accomplish more, noting that PFN was satised at the pace of development in Akwa Ibom State under the watch of the present administration.
Archbishop Emmah Isong, who is also the head Pastor of Central Christian Chapel International, Calabar, revealed that PFN was mapping out strategies to ensure her 5million members inuence the political direction of the nation in 2027.
According to him, PFN has strengthened her directorate for politics and governance headed by Rev’d Femi Emmanuel, and would embark on State political awareness and education to sensitize members ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the South South national vice president, Archbishop Emmah Isong, recently concluded a successful tour of all the States in the zone to reinvigorate the body in the zone. While he was delighted at the response accorded him during the tour, he sought more prayers for believers in government, to enable their fulll their mandate.
During the tour of Akwa Ibom State, the national vice president was given a rousing reception by PFN leaders led by the State’s chairman, Bishop Emmanuel Etim. The event held at Faith and Power Church drew both past and present members of the body in the State.
The team also visited some spiritual fathers, including Archbishop Idem Ikon of Revival Valley Ministries in Uyo and the President General of Fathers In Faith for Good Governance, Prelate Prof Isaiah Issong.
Speaking during the visit, Archbishop Emmah Isong appreciated Akwa Ibom State PFN for showing unusual support to the body.
On why the South South zone of the PFN was touring the region, he said:”Since the rst week of April, I was appointed as the national vice president South-South, and after the national retreat, which we hosted the National President and some fathers and mothers of faith here, it became imperative that the six states under my zone should be toured, not only a familiarity tour, but a working visit, so as to assess on ground how the fellowship fair, and also to be able to update and inform Mr. President and the National Advisory Council how the South-South is faring and by the grace of God, we have been able to do that in two states, Cross River and Akwa Ibom and we are continuing to other South-South states. We are happy to be right here with Prelate Professor Isaiah Isong, to interface with him and the leaders.”
His plans, among others, are to ensure the growth, stability and cohesion of the PFN members in the zone, which has been very supportive of the national leadership and has produced three national presidents in the persons of late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Pastor Ayo Oritsajafor and Revd Dr. Omobude. “My dream for the South-South is to foster unity and synergy because we have been much on ground, but yet we are growing differently. And secondly, of course, is to ensure that Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Delta States are given their rightful place at the national. I also have a dream of ensuring the youths and the women are carried along in matters of PFN. We intend to have football competitions and also choir competitions to be able to draw this narrative to successful conclusion.” The zonal choir competition, he explained that it was intended to use the platform to raise and encourage talents and reposition them for national and global relevance.
For the development of the youth, he sought more collaboration from the zonal leaders in order to come up with a robust programme to ensure youth inclusion in the programmes of the national body of PFN.
