PFN Bayelsa Crisis Deepens As Pastors Call for Derecognition of Outgoing Chairman Amid Plans for Secret Inauguration
From Emmanuel PREYE, Bayelsa
Following the alleged unconstitutional disqualification of a rival candidate, Rev. Timiebi Kiyaramo and subsequent imposition of Pastor Tam Seth Eyedoude in the December 2, 2025 election of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), aggrieved pastors have questioned the legitimacy of the outcome, calling on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to derecognise the embattled outgoing chairman.
This followed earlier protests to the National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke by several aggrieved pastors in the Pentecostal Fellowship describing the outcome of the exercise, held on December 2, 2025, under the supervision of the newly appointed National Vice President (South South region), Archbishop Emmah Gospel Isong as fraudulent and unacceptable.
It was also learnt on good authority that the embattled outgoing chairman had allegedly concluded plans to secretly inaugurate his new executive council, just as the national president, Bishop Francis Wale Oke is said to be making frantic efforts to resolve the issues bedeviling the PFN in the state.
In a letter to Bayelsa State CAN Chairman, Rev. Father Joseph Opelema, the aggrieved pastors stated that: "Pastor Eyedoude is no longer the official PFN representative to CAN" and requested that dealings with him be stopped until a new chairman is inaugurated.
While the situation is reportedly being addressed by PFN's national president, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, a source alleged plans by the embattled outgoing chairman to conduct a secret inauguration of a new executive council at The Redeemed Family Church Agudama Epie on Jan 29, 2026.
In a letter addressed to the Bayelsa State Chairman of CAN, Venerable Rev. Father Joseph Opelema, dated December 29 with the caption: "Derecognition of Head of Bloc/Executive Council, the aggrieved clergymen demanded the immediate derecognition of embattled Pastor Eyedoude forthwith.
"We write to intimate you of the present state of the PFN leadership Bayelsa state.On the 2nd Dec. 2025, an executive council election was conducted for the office of Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, among other executive positions, but this election was inconclusive.
"Due to the unconstitutionality of that election, the transition process is truncated. Based on this fact, there is no substantive PFN chairman/executive until further notice. We therefore appeal to your good office that in order to avoid any form of pandemonium and religious crisis in the state, coming from PFN, we hereby appeal for the following: That Pastor Tam Seth Eyedoude is no longer the official representative of PFN to CAN.
"Therefore, any dealings with him (Pastor Tam Seth Eyedoude) as PFN representative to CAN is totally stopped until a new chairman emerges and is inaugurated. That the only recognized representatives from PFN to CAN are: Apst. Martin Jafaru (Director of LGA Coordination, CPFN/PFN and member of LGA Directorate, CAN, Bayelsa state and Bishop Dotimi M. D Egbegi (Member, Directorate of Planning, Strategy and Research, CAN, Bayelsa state.). That all incentives, foodstuffs (Rice), cash, and any other thing be channelled through the above recommended representatives.
"That these incentives be handed over to PFN representatives to CAN in the presence of all former chairmen in the persons of: Rev Festus Igana Nkponwere, Bishop Dr. Douye Aganaba, Bishop Peter Leghemo, Pastor S. S John Peters, Rev. Washington M Agala, Bishop Prosper Ayawei, and Pastor Tam Seth Eyedoude. We sincerely trust that this matter at hand will be given the seriousness it deserves to forestall peace in PFN Bayelsa State. Thanks for your positive response, "the letter read in part.
The letter, copied to the State Commissioner of Police, Director, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Assistant Secretary of CAN, CPFN/PFN Bloc., Rev Godspower Ete was signed by the pioneer chairman of PFN in the state, Rev. Dr. N. F. Igana, Bishop Alfred Ileberi, Apostle Dr. David Bright, Apostle Tonye Kalso, Bishop Helen Prekake Ekiyor, Rev. Million B. Donghagbeyidongha, Apostle Peculiar David Favour and Apostle Dr. Igbudu Felix Andrew.
"We have to challenge Pastor Tam Seth Eyedoude's recognition as PFN Bayelsa State Chairman because of the irregularities in the December 2, 2025 election, including the unconstitutional disqualification of Rev. Timiebi Kiyaramo. We are calling on CAN in the state not to recognise him anymore. Essentially, the pastors are questioning the legitimacy of the election outcome and Eyedoude's leadership, "a female told this reporter in Yenagoa.
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