Author: Gist Correspondent

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rivers State Chapter, has voiced strong concern over the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, describing the situation as a serious distraction to governance and a threat to peace and development.

Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, the PFN State Chairman, Reverend Minaibi Dagogo-Jack, condemned the ongoing political power tussles, urging political actors to de-escalate tensions and place the collective interest of the state above personal ambitions.

He warned politicians who claim to wield overwhelming electoral influence in the state to desist from such rhetoric, noting that their actual impact in the last general election was marginal when measured against the state’s voter population.

“It is important that we come to condemn this; enough is enough. Let’s stop this noise in Rivers State,” Reverend Dagogo-Jack said.

The cleric drew attention to the disparity between the number of votes delivered during the presidential election and the total number of registered voters in the state.

“You claim you have control, yet you delivered just over two hundred thousand votes in a state with about 3.5 million registered voters—not population. Have you asked yourself where the remaining ninety per cent of voters are?” he queried.

He disclosed that the PFN would once again mobilise its members, as it did during the 2023 general elections, warning that any attempt to manipulate future electoral processes would be firmly resisted.

Commenting on the impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Reverend Dagogo-Jack called for restraint, dialogue, and sober reflection among all parties involved.

He questioned the substance of the allegations being cited as grounds for impeachment, suggesting that there may be underlying motives yet to be openly disclosed.

“What has Professor Odu done in this case? As an individual, I feel there is something more than they are telling us. If what we are hearing is true, then I don’t think it is strong enough to warrant impeachment,” he said.

While stressing that Governor Fubara is not above the law, the PFN chairman maintained that the reasons being circulated for his possible removal fall short of constitutional and moral justification.

“I am not saying that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is above the law, and I am also not saying that members of the State Assembly should be intimidated, but the reasons we are hearing are not sufficient to impeach a sitting governor,” he added.

Reverend Dagogo-Jack further revealed that the PFN in Rivers State is preparing to mobilise its membership ahead of future elections to prevent a repeat of the current political instability.

He explained that the fellowship plans to adopt a three-pronged strategy, including mass voter mobilisation, scrutiny of aspiring leaders, and civic engagement, to ensure that the factors responsible for the present crisis are not repeated in the 2027 election cycle.

The PFN leader concluded by calling on all stakeholders to embrace peace and create a stable political environment that would allow governance and development to flourish across Rivers State.