The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is currently shopping for a candidate to occupy the president’s position.
The tenure of the incumbent, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, will expire in February 2013.
Oritsejafor had in 2010 indicated his intention to relinquish his position as PFN president owing to increased activities and commitments, as the head of the Christian Association of Nigeria, but he was asked to complete his tenure to promote unity within the body.
With his tenure gradually coming to an end, and his desire not to seek re-election, the coast is clear for interested candidates to express their interest and present their unique selling points to get what is considered as the most influential position in the Pentecostal movement.
A document made available to Saturday PUNCH by a PFN source, said that Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Pastor Wale Oke, Rev Felix Omobude were among the frontrunners for the position.
Election into the soon-to-be-vacant seat is scheduled to hold in February.
Although Pastor Taiwo Odukoya was said to be a preferred choice for the position, he was said to have declined interest in the job, thus making way for Adefarasin and the others.
The document said, “However, now that the race for the PFN presidency is gathering steam, candidates have continued to signify their interest in the office.
“The candidate who has always been on the move wooing people to support his candidature is Oke. He’s said to enjoy a close relationship with Oritsejafor, being the National Vice-President (South-West).
“Meanwhile, Wale’s choice was applauded by all because of his unassuming, suave and gentlemanly disposition to issues. And indeed, Adefarasin’s tenure as Lagos PFN chairman did restore unity, direction and integrity to the body. That feat might have been a factor that earned him the office of the National Secretary when Oritsejafor succeeded Okonkwo.
“Pastor Paul Adefarasin is also said to have been working assiduously behind the scene to succeed Oritsejafor but he noticed that the national leaders would prefer him to wait for his turn.
“A group of influential pastors in the Pentecostal fold is backing (Wale) Adefarasin for the race. With this development, Paul’s ambition may have to wait or never materialise if Wale should win.
“As at the last count, nobody can really say which direction the national leaders are going because they determine who the next PFN president would be. But it is obvious that the major contenders are: Oke, Adefarasin and Felix Omobude.”