The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has dismissed allegations linking a recent nationwide prayer programme to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, describing the claims as false, misleading, and unfounded.
In a statement issued on Friday, PFN National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, said the prayer initiative was conceived, approved, coordinated, and executed solely by the Fellowship without any involvement from RCCG or Pastor Adeboye.
According to Bakare, attempts to attribute the programme to the RCCG leader were unfair and inaccurate.
“It is unfair, irrational, and deeply unfortunate for anyone to attempt to attribute the programme to Pastor E.A. Adeboye or the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The RCCG never called for any protest. The programme was entirely a PFN initiative,” he stated.
Bakare explained that the decision to organise the programme was reached during a meeting of the PFN National Executive Council on May 19, 2026, following deliberations on Nigeria’s worsening socio-economic and security challenges.
He said the council subsequently directed Pentecostal Christians nationwide to observe three days of fasting and prayer, culminating in gatherings held across various states under the supervision of PFN state chapters.
“The programme was entirely a PFN affair. All directives, instructions, and operational decisions originated from PFN leadership without any interference whatsoever from Pastor E.A. Adeboye or the RCCG,” Bakare said.
He noted that all participating churches, including RCCG, merely complied with PFN directives as members of the Pentecostal community.
The PFN secretary further clarified that the final day of the prayer programme coincided with Pentecost Sunday, a globally recognised Christian observance commemorating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
“Pentecost is celebrated worldwide by Christians across denominations and nations. Therefore, the gatherings held were not peculiar to RCCG or churches in Nigeria alone. They formed part of a global Christian observance,” he explained.
Bakare also disclosed that an earlier proposal involving public processions and the use of placards was suspended by PFN leadership after assessing prevailing security concerns.
According to him, the decision was taken to prevent the programme from being infiltrated by criminal elements and to ensure that the spiritual exercise was not transformed into a security challenge.
The Fellowship expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the programme, describing it as successful in mobilising Christians to pray for the nation while communicating citizens’ concerns to government authorities.
“We are grateful to God that the programme was successful and widely embraced. If there are individuals who believe alternative approaches should have been adopted, they are free to organise lawful initiatives of their own rather than spreading unfounded allegations and misinformation,” Bakare said.
PFN also condemned what it described as increasing personal attacks and derogatory remarks directed at prominent Christian leaders.
The Fellowship said public discourse should be guided by truth, responsibility, and respect, warning against deliberate attempts to damage reputations through false accusations.
The organisation commended RCCG for participating alongside other Pentecostal churches, noting that the church has consistently supported initiatives organised by recognised Christian bodies.
Bakare recalled that RCCG and Pastor Adeboye similarly participated in national spiritual engagements organised under the directives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 2020.
“Their participation in this recent programme was neither exceptional nor independent; it was simply part of their longstanding commitment to the collective body of Christ,” he said.
PFN warned individuals and groups against spreading false narratives, misleading reports, and defamatory content aimed at discrediting Christian leaders and institutions.
The Fellowship stressed that freedom of expression does not include the deliberate dissemination of falsehoods, character assassination, or malicious propaganda, urging the public and media practitioners to verify information before publication.
Reaffirming the Fellowship’s commitment to national development, Bakare said PFN, under the leadership of its President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, would continue to advocate for justice, good governance, and improved security across the country.
“The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria remains committed to praying for the nation, advocating for justice, encouraging good governance, and calling on government at all levels to do more to protect lives, secure communities, and alleviate the suffering of Nigerians,” he said.
The Fellowship concluded by urging Christians and Nigerians to reject misinformation, embrace truth, and work together for national peace, unity, and progress.
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