The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has urged Nigerians to shun divisive speeches which create tension among various ethnic and religious groups in the country.
Deputy National President of PFN, Bishop Wale Oke, stated this at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, at the weekend on a courtesy call to Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Bishop Oke said political and religious leaders, Nigerians in general must work towards promoting unity among the people.
“We all as Nigerians should emphasise what unite us as a people rather than what will create lines of division amongst us,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria as a country is stronger together, adding, “Political, religious leaders and other Nigerians must avoid politics of ethnicity and religion which are capable of dividing the country”.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us and as such, we must make effort to build the country through collective efforts. Let’s emphasise what unites us, as one indivisible nation,” he further stated.
The cleric urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable by ensuring political office holders deliver on campaign promises such as security, education and other dividends of democracy.
“Let our political leaders tell us in concrete terms what they are doing to protect lives, stop the killings, kidnappings and other issues confronting the country,” Bishop Oke said.
He tasked political office holders to be more responsive to the people and urged those yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so in order to participate in the forthcoming elections.
Governor Obaseki tolled the same lines with the Bishop, saying, “We should always remember that we are our brothers’ keeper and must imbibe the teachings of our faiths on peaceful coexistence by shunning acts that divide rather than unite us as Nigerians”.
The governor noted that the peace being experienced in the state could be attributed to prayers of religious leaders, adding, “I will continue to encourage spiritual leaders to always pray and work for the peaceful coexistence of all the people in the state and country”.