Akakan Umoh’
Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has strongly condemned a viral video in which Rev. Yinka Yusuf allegedly made disparaging remarks about the people of the state.
The Governor made the remark when he received the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, who paid a courtesy visit on him at the Executive Chambers, Government House, Uyo on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Eno commended his exemplary leadership style as distinctively different and a stark contrast to the intolerance displayed by some religious leaders in the country.
The Governor extolled the mature and fatherly role of Pastor Kumuyi, who is in the State for a five-day crusade, noting that his Ministry’s impact has greatly contributed to transforming the spiritual lives of Nigerians for the better.
Also read: Inside the Cancellation of ‘Uyo1Million Crusade’: Controversy and Finger-pointing
He particularly commended Pastor Kumuyi for showing exemplary leadership in Christendom saying, “Your sense of humility, love and collaboration with us is highly impressive and commendable.”
“Sir, your remarkable partnership is indeed in sharp contrast to what we experienced a few days ago when one of our religious leaders mocked the State, labeled us as slaves and house maids and that he was coming to cast out demons from the State. And with all these invectives, he still expected us to welcome him with open arms.”
The Governor said, “With these insults from the man, the security agencies thought it would be improper and unsafe for him to visit and hold his programme in the State. So, they had to impress it on him to move it forward for proper arrangements for his safety and that of the attendees.
“You cannot denigrate a people, not showing them love, and you think they will receive your message. So Sir, you are quite different, and I want to thank you that there is a sharp contrast between you, a father who is known worldwide and some others. We really respect, honour, and appreciate you for coming to see us, and we receive you to our State with open arms,” he said.
The Governor also appreciated Pastor Kumuyi for the sound moral standing of the church especially as exemplified by some of his church members like the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Imaobong Okon, who, he said, was a model Christian in public service.
He said the State under his leadership has undertaken a good number of projects, but he was very particular about the ARISE compassionate homes where fully furnished houses were built for the less privileged, with social amenities such as solar powered borehole water, stressing that 335 indigent citizens have so benefitted from the programme.
Governor Eno who said Akwa Ibom State has been blessed with good leaders, told Pastor Kumuyi that under his leadership, about 1200 kilometres of roads have been constructed or are ongoing, and that 84 other projects spread across the State have also been completed or ongoing, and asked for prayers to enable him complete all the ongoing projects within his first term.
Earlier, Pastor Kumuyi had expressed gratitude to the Governor and the State for providing a conducive environment for the hosting of his ministry’s crusade, tagged, Global Crusade with Kumuyi (GCK).
He noted with delight, the peaceful and safe ambience of the State, and commended the Governor for his visionary and impactful leadership that has further transformed the State to higher heights.
Commissioner for Information Clears air too
Already, the State Government has officially cleared the air on its decision to deny Pastor Yinka Yusuf the use of Ibom Hall Grounds for a proposed crusade, citing “vitriolic outbursts” and “hate speech” against the people of the state.
In a press statement issued Friday by the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, the government clarified that the rejection by the Akwa Ibom Property and Investment Company Limited (APICO) was not due to security threats, but a response to a viral video where the cleric allegedly insulted the collective dignity of Akwa Ibom’s 7.9 million citizens.
The government described Yusuf’s comments as “crude stereotyping” and “inflammatory,” noting that such utterances are inconsistent with Christian virtues of love and humility.
“Hate speech is not evangelism, and insults are not a substitute for doctrine,” the statement read. “We do not expect any Akwa Ibomite to be a member of a ministry built on contempt for their identity.”
The state highlighted that while globally respected leaders like Pastor W.F. Kumuyi are currently holding crusades in Uyo after following due process and visiting Governor Umo Eno, Pastor Yusuf allegedly bypassed all protocols. He reportedly failed to engage the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) or provide proof for his claim of 5,000 international participants.
Yusuf’s Stereotypes
Earlier, Rev. Yusuf, in a viral video, had stereotyped Akwa Ibom people during preaching in his church in Lagos.
‘‘God sent me to Uyo and Calabar. Do you know that Akwa Ibom is the richest in Nigeria in terms of monthly allocations. They get millions of Naira. But if you go there, you will see poverty on the people. You know why? It is not the government- the government cannot handle it. It is the ancestral demon that controls Calabar and Uyo.
Think of Okon, you are thinking about a gateman. Think of Okon, you are thinking about a cook. Why? Think of ekaete, you are thinking about slavery because they have been made to believe that they are slaves. If you go there, you will see pride that is not in America. The most proud people in this world are from Akwa Ibom and they are proud for nothing. Do you know that if put Akwa Ibom people in a room and lock, no one of them will escape from the room.
Yusuf, who is the President, Love for all Nations Ministries and Lead Pastor of Household of Love Churches worldwide, said ‘‘They are like crabs. Put them in one basket, no one will escape. If one tries to come out the rest will pull it down. That is how it is. It is a state where if one person eats rice and another will ask ‘What did you eat?’ Evangelism goes beyond saving people, at times, you are serving lives. We are going against the territorial spirit and then in the form of mechanics.’’
