By Rhoda Godwin
Y
enagoa, Bayelsa -The leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bayelsa State chapter, has dismissed allegations trailing its recent state election, affirming that the process was transparent, credible, and constitutionally conducted.
The clarification was made during a press briefing addressed by Reverend Tamuno Chesime, the State Deputy Chairman of PFN Bayelsa and General Overseer of Logos Ministry, alongside other state executives.
Rev. Chesime confirmed that Pastor Dr. Tam Seth Eyedoude emerged as the Chairman-elect after polling 20 votes out of 26 accredited delegates, while he emerged as the Deputy Chairman.
He refuted claims that no election was conducted or that credible candidates were unjustly disqualified, describing such reports as misleading and capable of causing unnecessary division within the Christian community.
“The election was free, transparent and credible. Out of 26 delegates, Pastor Dr. Tam Seth Eyedoude won convincingly with 20 votes. There was no protest, no walkout, and all parties participated fully in the process,” Rev. Chesime stated.
On the issue of disqualification, Rev. Chesime clarified that Apostle Timiebi Kiryama was disqualified by Rev. Emma Isong as the zonal leader conducting the election, and not by the Bayelsa leadership or the chairman. According to him, Kiryama was not a member of the State Advisory Council, which is a constitutional requirement for eligibility to contest.
Addressing allegations that the chairman misappropriated ₦15 million, Rev. Chesime explained that the funds were received during the last elections, noted that Chief Timipre Sylva and Chief Joshua Marcaiver, then governor candidate of All progressive candidates, with Sylva donating ₦10 million and Marcaiver contributing ₦5 million, both specifically to support the PFN church building project in Bayelsa State.
“That ₦15 million was never stolen or misused. It came as support for the PFN building when Sylva and Marcaiver were contesting. The money was properly applied to the project and all records are available for verification,” he emphasized.
He added that the funds were coordinated through the Good Governance Committee, formerly headed by Apostle Timiebi Kiryama, and were fully applied to the building project, with records available to support accountability.
Rev. Chesime further noted that all stakeholders participated actively in the election without protest, walkout, or formal objection, making post-election allegations unjustifiable.
He disclosed that the PFN national leadership has concluded plans to visit Bayelsa State for a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at resolving all rancour, reconciling aggrieved parties, and fixing a date for the inauguration of the newly elected leadership.
Calling for calm, unity, and cooperation, Rev. Chesime urged members to allow peace and due process to prevail in the interest of the church and the body of Christ in Bayelsa State.
Other executives present at the briefing also reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, reconciliation, and the spiritual growth of PFN in the state.
Nigerian Pilot recall that Apostle Timiebi Kiryama had earlier publicly called for the disqualification of the election and made what they described as libelous accusations against the leadership, allegations they insist were misleading and unsupported by facts.
