By Abbey Tamuno
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Rivers State Chapter, has expressed concern over the escalating political tension in the state, describing it as a major setback to governance, peace and development.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the State Chairman of PFN, Reverend Minaibi Dagogo-Jack, condemned the ongoing political power struggle and called on all stakeholders to place the interest of the state above personal or political ambitions.
Reverend Dagogo-Jack warned politicians against making claims of absolute political control, noting that voter turnout in the last general elections did not support such assertions.
He stressed that Rivers State has over three-point-five million registered voters, while only about two hundred thousand votes were delivered to a presidential candidate during the elections, raising questions about the credibility of claims of political dominance.
The PFN Chairman cautioned that the Fellowship would mobilise its members, as it did in the 2023 elections, to resist any attempt at electoral manipulation in future polls.
On the impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Reverend Dagogo-Jack urged restraint, dialogue and adherence to democratic principles.
He questioned the sufficiency of the grounds being cited for the impeachment, insisting that due process must be followed and that impeachment should not be driven by hidden agendas.
While acknowledging that no public office holder is above the law, the PFN Chairman maintained that the reasons so far presented do not appear strong enough to warrant the removal of the Governor or his Deputy.
Reverend Dagogo-Jack said the PFN would intensify voter mobilisation, leadership screening and civic engagement ahead of the 2027 elections, to prevent a recurrence of the current political crisis.
He called on political leaders, lawmakers and other stakeholders to embrace peace and stability to enable effective governance and sustainable development in Rivers State.
