Fresh controversy is allegedly plaguing the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bayelsa State chapter, as a group of aggrieved pastors called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to immediately derecognise the outgoing chairman, Pastor Tam Seth Eyedoude, following a disputed executive election held on December 2, 2025.
The clerics faulted the election process, alleging the unconstitutional disqualification of a rival candidate, Rev. Timiebi Kiyaramo, and the subsequent imposition of Pastor Eyedoude, whom they insist no longer enjoys legitimate authority as PFN chairman in the state.
The development is sequel to earlier protests lodged with the National President of PFN, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, in which the aggrieved pastors described the election conducted under the supervision of the newly appointed National Vice President (South-South), Archbishop Emmah Gospel Isong, as fraudulent, inconclusive and unacceptable.
Sources further alleged that, despite the unresolved crisis, the outgoing chairman has concluded plans to secretly inaugurate a new executive council, even as Bishop Oke is said to be making frantic efforts to resolve the leadership impasse rocking the fellowship in Bayelsa State.
In a letter dated December 29 and addressed to the Bayelsa State Chairman of CAN, Venerable Rev. Father Joseph Opelema, the pastors formally demanded the “immediate derecognition of the Head of Bloc/Executive Council,” insisting that there is currently no substantive PFN leadership in the state.
“We write to intimate you of the present state of the PFN leadership in Bayelsa State,” the letter read in part.
“On the 2nd of December 2025, an executive council election was conducted for various offices, but the exercise was inconclusive.
“Due to the unconstitutionality of that election, the transition process is truncated. Based on this fact, there is no substantive PFN chairman or executive until further notice.”
The clerics warned that continued recognition of Pastor Eyedoude could spark unrest within the Christian community, urging CAN to halt all official dealings with him as PFN’s representative.
“That Pastor Tam Seth Eyedoude is no longer the official representative of PFN to CAN. Therefore, any dealings with him as PFN representative to CAN should be totally stopped until a new chairman emerges and is inaugurated,” the letter stated”.
The aggrieved pastors named Apostle Martin Jafaru and Bishop Dotimi M. D. Egbegi as the only recognised PFN representatives to CAN in Bayelsa State, requesting that all incentives, food items, cash and other benefits meant for PFN be channelled through them and handed over in the presence of former PFN chairmen in the state.
Meanwhile, a reliable source alleged that the embattled outgoing chairman is planning a secret inauguration of a new executive council at The Redeemed Family Church, Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa, on January 29, 2026—an action the pastors warned could further inflame tensions.
The letter was copied to the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Assistant Secretary of CAN, CPFN/PFN Bloc.
It was jointly signed by prominent clerics, including the pioneer PFN chairman 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,” one of the aggrieved pastors told this reporter in Yenagoa.
“We are calling on CAN not to recognise him anymore.”
As the crisis deepens, stakeholders await decisive intervention from the PFN national leadership to avert a possible breakdown of peace within the fellowship and the wider Christian community in Bayelsa State.
