2027: Pentecostal Fellowship Backs Electronic Vote Transmission To Safeguard Polls

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has thrown its weight behind public demands for real-time electronic transmission of election results, insisting that it is essential to ensure that Nigerians’ votes truly count in the 2027 polls and subsequent elections.

National president of the PFN, Bishop Wale Oke, aligned firmly with citizens protesting efforts to sideline this safeguard, saying, “We must also acknowledge that we support the Nigerian people in the outcry against the attempt to avoid the passage of real-time transmission of election results during the election.

“We stand with the Nigerian people to insist that that should be… One of the ways to trust our electoral system is to make sure that the votes of Nigerians count, and our votes should count.”

This push comes as PFN also defended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan against calls for his removal over comments on national issues.

“PFN would like to state clearly that we do not support any group of Nigerians calling for the removal of the INEC chairman because he expressed his view on national issues. He is a full-fledged citizen of Nigeria and has a right to contribute to any national discourse,” he said.

Broadening their electoral vision, PFN demanded a free, fair, and violence-free 2027 race with a level playing field for all parties.

“Democracy thrives on opposition. It should not be seen that opposition is being witch-hunted,” they warned. There will be no violence if the right atmosphere is created. It’s just like competition, like sports competition. Somebody will have to win; somebody will have to lose,” he added.

However, the fellowship cautioned that premature politicking is already poisoning the atmosphere, urging leaders to focus on governance until INEC signals campaign time.

“For goodness’ sake, focus on governance and let INEC blow the whistle,” the Bishop urged. “When INEC now says it is time to begin to campaign, go ahead. But to abandon the time that we should be using in providing basic support for Nigerians that are suffering, all we do is politicking. And that’s not fair on the people.”

On insecurity issues, the group praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts alongside calls for more action. They lauded the appointment of General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd) as Minister of Defence and U.S. partnerships

“We commend the federal government for the effort. And we appreciate President Bola Tinubu,” said the national deputy president of PFN, Archbishop John Praise Daniel. “Yet, recent kidnappings in Benue, killings in Kwara, and Southern Kaduna demand urgency. These evil people are not relenting,” he added. “Much, much more has to be done. Thank God for bringing in General Christopher as the minister of defence.”