*Threatens lawsuit if…
By Ime Silas
The government of Akwa Ibom State has officially responded to the various reactions which followed the refusal of the Akwa Ibom Property and Investment Company Limited (APICO) to approve the Ibom Hall Grounds for the proposed crusade by Pastor Yinka Yusuf which was scheduled to hold in February.
Recall that APICO which manages State-owned property had denied Pastor Yinka the use of the Ibom Hall Grounds, citing ‘security concerns’.
The entire scenario didn’t go down well with Akwa Ibomites and other social media users who thronged their different handles to vent their anger in diverse directions.
Reacting, Akwa Ibom State government through the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon Aniekan Umanah, lampooned Pastor Yinka Yusuf for his “vitriolic outburst against Akwa Ibom State”.
In a strong-worded Press Release, the state government clearly stated that Pastor Yinka Yusuf was not welcomed in the state, basing its conclusion on what it described as the Pastor’s “denigrating actions, defamatory utterances and open disrespect to the people”.
The state government further demanded an apology from Pastor Yinka Yusuf hinting that the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice has been directed to review the Pastor’s utterances with a view to seeking legal redress should he failed to meet the demand.
Read below the State Government’s Press Release:
GOVERNMENT OF AKWA IBOM STATE
January 30, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
HATE SPEECH AND PASTOR YINKA YUSUF’S VITRIOLIC OUTBURST AGAINST AKWA IBOM STATE
1. The Akwa Ibom State Government has taken note of reactions across social media following the decision of the Akwa Ibom Property and Investment Company Limited (APICO) to deny the use of the Ibom Hall Grounds for a proposed crusade by Pastor Yinka Yusuf.
2. For the avoidance of doubt, the decision was not based on any prevailing security situation, as no such condition exists in Akwa Ibom State. Rather, it was informed solely by the vile, denigrating, and inflammatory comments made against the people of the State by Pastor Yusuf in a widely circulated video, in which he crudely stereotyped and insulted the collective identity, dignity, and intelligence of Akwa Ibom people. These comments constitute a direct affront to the approximately 7.9 million citizens of the State, understandably inflamed public sentiment, and must be condemned by all peace-loving, right-thinking members of society.
3. Such utterances are inciting, morally objectionable, and completely inconsistent with the essence of Christianity, which is founded on love, respect, humility, and the winning of souls, not the denigration of a people. Hate speech is not evangelism, and insults are not a substitute for doctrine. We do not, and will never, expect any Akwa Ibomite to be a member of a church, ministry, or crusade built on contempt for their identity.
4. It is instructive that Akwa Ibom State is led by a Governor who is himself a Pastor and who governs with Christian values and virtues, demonstrating daily that faith and public leadership can coexist with tolerance, responsibility, and respect for human dignity.
5. Historically, Akwa Ibom people have exemplified enlightenment, tolerance, and leadership for nearly a century. As far back as 1936, our forebears initiated the first community-sponsored overseas scholarship scheme in this part of Africa, producing the famed Merchants of Light—nation builders who returned to serve Nigeria with distinction. Among them were Sir Egbert Udo Udoma, the first Nigerian to earn a PhD in Law and later a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Chief Justice and Acting President of Uganda; Bassey Attah, Nigeria’s first postgraduate degree holder in Agriculture; and Ibanga Udo Akpabio, pioneer educationist and Minister of State for Education in the First Republic.
6. In the same spirit, Akwa Ibom indigenes were pioneers of Christian evangelism, taking the Gospel through the Qua Iboe Church from present-day Akwa Ibom to other parts of Nigeria, including Kogi State, with humility and respect for local cultures, never with insults, stereotypes, or contempt. Christianity in Akwa Ibom has always been expressed through service, sacrifice, and honour, not provocation.
7. The State has produced some of Nigeria’s most consequential national figures across different spheres. These include Wellington Bassey, Nigeria’s first commissioned military officer; Dominic Ekanem, the first Anglophone Bishop and Nigeria’s first Cardinal; Clement Isong, the first indigenous Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok, former Chief of Air Staff; and Philip Effiong, whose actions brought the Nigerian Civil War to an end. Since the return of democracy, this tradition has continued from Obong Victor Attah, to Chief Godswill Akpabio, now President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; then Mr. Udom Emmanuel; and now Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD, who is deliberately positioning Akwa Ibom State on the global map.
8. Unarguably, Akwa Ibom is renowned for its warmth, hospitality, and openness. The State remains peaceful and welcoming a destination of choice for conferences, tourism, business, and religious activities. It boasts one of the best stadia at the sub-national level, now an official home of the Super Eagles of Nigeria; operates one of the best airlines in the country; and maintains an extensive, high-quality road network across all local government areas.
9. Globally respected evangelists regularly hold crusades in Akwa Ibom State. At present, the General Overseer of the Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, is in the State for a crusade, further underscoring Akwa Ibom’s openness and religious tolerance. Notably, Pastor Kumuyi formally notified the State and paid a courtesy visit to the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, at the Government House, Uyo. This is the expected standard of conduct, process, and respect from genuine men of God.
10. By contrast, Pastor Yusuf showed blatant disregard for due process and established protocol. 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.
11. Where foreign participants or large gatherings are involved, it is mandatory for organisers to notify appropriate authorities to enable Government to discharge its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property. Disrespect for process and protocol is unacceptable, particularly when combined with hate speech and deliberate provocation.
12. Taken together, these facts leave no doubt that Pastor Yusuf’s actions were not motivated by the preaching of love or unity, but by a conscious attempt to provoke, insult, and sow division. His conduct is therefore unacceptable and must be rejected by all peace-loving people.
ACCORDINGLY, THE AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT STATES CLEARLY, WITHOUT ANY EQUIVOCATION THAT WE DO NOT, WELCOME PASTOR YINKA YUSUF’S SUSPICIOUS CRUSADE IN THE STATE DUE TO HIS DENIGRATING ACTIONS, DEFAMATORY UTTERANCES, AND OPEN DISRESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE, VALUES, AND LAWFUL AUTHORITY OF THE STATE.
13. While it is noted that Pastor Yusuf has since taken his crusade elsewhere, he owes the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State an unreserved apology for his deliberate incitement and denigration. The defamatory video has been referred to the Honourable Attorney-General of the State for review, and failure to tender such an apology may leave the Government with no option but to seek legal redress.
14. The Akwa Ibom State Government therefore fully supports the decision of the Akwa Ibom Property and Investment Company Limited to deny the use of the Ibom Hall Grounds for an event anchored on hate, disrespect, and incitement.
15. Akwa Ibom State remains peaceful. Our people are united, industrious, proud of their heritage, and confident in the developmental direction of the State under the leadership of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, whose ARISE Agenda continues to position Akwa Ibom as a beacon of progress, harmony, and enlightened leadership.
Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah
Hon. Commissioner for Information
