The Akwa Ibom Government has rejected plans by Yinka Yusuf, an evangelist, to hold a crusade in the state, citing inflammatory and derogatory remarks he made about the people of Akwa.
In a video on X, the evangelist accused the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Akwa Ibom of being behind the plot to scuttle his crusade because of the two associations’ invitation to a Kenyan prophet.
In a statement issued on Friday, Aniekan Umanah, the state’s commissioner for information, clarified that the decision by the Akwa Ibom Property and Investment Company Limited (APICO) to deny use of the Ibom Hall Grounds was not due to any security concerns.
The commissioner said the state remains peaceful, noting that the decision stemmed directly from Yusuf’s “vile, denigrating, and inflammatory comments” that stereotyped and insulted the collective identity, dignity, and intelligence of Akwa Ibom indigenes.
He described Yusuf’s remarks as “inciting” and “morally objectionable”, arguing that such language contradicts core Christian principles of love, respect, and humility.
“Hate speech is not evangelism, and insults are not a substitute for doctrine,” the statement read, adding that no Akwa Ibomite should be expected to join a ministry built on contempt for their heritage,” the statement reads.
Umanah described Yusuf’s actions as a “conscious attempt to provoke, insult, and sow division” and declared unequivocally that it does not welcome his “suspicious crusade” due to the hate speech, defamation, and disrespect shown.
Umanah said the cleric showed blatant disregard for due process and established protocol, adding that he failed to engage relevant government agencies responsible for security, crowd control, and emergency response.
“… did not consult the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) or the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Akwa Ibom State; and made unverifiable claims of having over 5,000 participants allegedly coming from across the world. The Government hereby challenges Pastor Yusuf to publicly provide credible proof of these claims,” he said.
While noting that Yusuf has since relocated the event elsewhere, the commissioner demanded an unreserved apology from the evangelist to the government and people of Akwa Ibom.
He added that the offending video made by Yusuf has been referred to the state attorney-general for review, with legal action possible if no apology is forthcoming.
