PFN backs e-transmission of election results, condemns coup attempts

•Urges politicians to focus on governance

By Sunday Ani

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has backed the electronic transmission of election results and warned against any attempt to overthrow a democratic government, while calling on political actors to prioritise governance over early election campaigns.

PFN President, Bishop Wale Oke, stated this after the first joint meeting of the fellowship’s National Advisory Council and National Executive Council held at the PFN headquarters in Lagos yesterday.

Speaking on electoral reforms, Oke said the fellowship supports Nigerians demanding a transparent electoral process driven by technology. He stressed that Nigeria must strengthen trust in its electoral system.

“We must also acknowledge that we support the Nigerian people in their outcry against the attempt to avoid the passage of real time transmission of election results in the election,” he said. “Nigeria has developed to a point where we must trust our electoral system. One of the ways to trust our electoral system is to make sure that the votes of Nigerians count.”

The PFN president also condemned coup attempts, describing them as unacceptable in modern Nigeria. He warned that any attempt to remove an elected government through violence must be resisted and punished under the law.

“Coup plotting is no longer acceptable to Nigeria,” Oke said. “As much as you are complaining about the current disposition for democracy, we don’t want to change it with a coup. That is not acceptable.”

He urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate and prosecute anyone found to be involved in coup plots, noting that failure to act decisively could encourage future threats to democracy.

On governance, the PFN urged politicians across all levels to focus on delivering services to citizens rather than engaging in early political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“For goodness sake, let us govern,” Oke said. “Let INEC blow the whistle. When INEC now says it is time for campaign, go ahead and do your campaign.”

The fellowship said the country is currently facing serious economic and social challenges, including hunger, poor infrastructure and insecurity, warning that excessive politicking at this stage could worsen public hardship.

He also commended the Federal Government for steps taken to address insecurity, including changes in security leadership and international partnerships, but urged authorities to intensify efforts to stop killings, kidnappings and attacks on communities.

The PFN further called on the government to review policies affecting citizens’ welfare, improve electricity supply, fix road infrastructure and address food insecurity.