THE authorities of Church of God Mission International, CGMI, in Benin City, Edo State have Thursday demanded a public apology from the management of the vanguard newspaper over its published article titled “Rumbling in PFN: Why Bishop Wale Oke May Not Be Reelected”
The Church made the demand in a statement titled, “Church of God Mission International responds to false allegations published by Vanguard Newspaper relating to our spiritual leader”, signed by Tari Ekiyor, Director of Administration of the Church in Benin City.
Ekiyor, who described the publication as misleading regarding comments made by its spiritual leader, Archbishop Margaret Idahosa said the article was published on January 26, 2025.
He also called on the management of the newspaper to retract the publication.
He, however, urged members of the public to be cautioned in believing unverified reports and remain committed to serving God with transparency, humility and love.
According to him, “The Church of God Mission International (CGMi) wishes to address false and defamatory allegations published by Vanguard Newspaper attributed to our spiritual leader, Archbishop Margaret Idahosa, in its article entitled “Rumbling in PFN: Why Bishop Wale Oke May Not Be Reelected”.
“In the report published on January, 26,2025, our spiritual leader, Archbishop Margaret Idahosa, was falsely quoted as expressing disappointment in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) President, Bishop Wale Oke’s tenure and leadership of PFN. This is categorically untrue.
“In speaking directly to Bishop Wale Oke during the birthday celebration of Bishop David Oyedepo last year, Archbishop Idahosa lightheartedly addressed Bishop Wale Oke for not being as present in her life as her son.
“The lighthearted banter had nothing to do with Bishop Wale Oke’s tenure and leadership of PFN, as insinuated in the misleading publication by Vanguard Newspaper
“As a Church, we have always stood for unity and integrity in the body of Christ.
“We remain committed to the PFN and its leadership, including Bishop Wale Oke, who has made remarkable contributions to the Fellowship and the work of God, ” the statement said.
The Church, called on Vanguard Newspaper to retract the false report and issue a public apology to CGMI, the Archbishop, and the PFN.
The statement added that there have been repeated instances of false reporting by Vanguard targeting CGMi, in an effort to defame the church and to garner readership and urged it to stop.
