The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has called for an impartial Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends heavily on the electoral body’s neutrality.

Oke made the call while speaking at the 38th Agape International Convention in Akure, Ondo State, where he stressed that INEC must remain free from political influence and treat all political parties equally.

The PFN president said INEC was established to regulate political parties and conduct elections, rather than support any particular political interest. He argued that the commission’s impartiality was essential to protecting citizens’ democratic and civil rights.

Oke also urged politicians to avoid exploiting ethnic and religious differences for political gain ahead of the 2027 elections.

He called for competence to be prioritised when selecting political leaders, while advocating religious balance in presidential and vice-presidential tickets.

The cleric further condemned insecurity and the use of religion to justify criminal activities, including kidnapping and attacks on civilians. He urged the government to take decisive action against extremists and criminals regardless of their religious affiliation.

Oke maintained that criminal acts should not be excused on religious grounds and called on religious communities to help identify and reject individuals involved in violence.