Aniefiok Christopher
The eventual cancellation of the scheduled “Uyo 1 Million Crusade” with Rev. Yinka Yusuf, in Akwa Ibom State has generated controversy, condemnations and finger-pointing against the State Government.
The crusade sponsored by a popular Kwara State-born evangelist, Rev. Yusuf, was cancelled by Akwa Ibom State Government in a letter dated January 21.
The state government, through its agency that manages public facilities, wrote a letter to Yusuf, informing him that an earlier approval to use a government hall, Ibom Hall, for the crusade has been withdrawn due to “security reasons” and the “prevailing security situation in the State.”
In a letter dated January 21, 2026, from the Managing Director of Akwa Ibom Property & Investments Company Ltd (APICO), Hon. (Barr.) Patrick Udomfang, addressed to the crusade coordinator, Godspromise Anthony, the company regretted the cancellation of the booking for the city-wide crusade scheduled for February 9 to 15, 2026.
APICO assured that the full deposit paid for the venue would be refunded once the relevant details were provided.
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Reacting to the letter, Rev. Yusuf said he had paid the Akwa Ibom State Government for the use of the hall for his crusade, scheduled for and billed for February 9 to 15, 2026 at the Ibom Hall grounds, Uyo.
Before the cancellation of the crusade, large-sized billboards were pegged at strategic routes and roundabouts in Uyo and outside the capital city to invite many to the programme.
In a live video, 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 CAN and PFN’s invitation to a Kenyan prophet.
He said the programme by the Kenyan prophet, David Owuor was slated to take place a week before his own crusade.
Straightnews gathered that the CAN and PFN had requested the Nigerian preacher, Rev. Yusuf to postpone his Uyo crusade to accommodate a visiting Kenyan pastor.
The bodies were said to have argued that having two massive crusades simultaneously or in close succession would strain security and transportation in Uyo. They also said their aim is to ensure maximum attendance and support for the international guest.
This decision was not well-received by many followers of Rev. Yusuf, leading to credibility concerns. Critics argue that local Nigerian ministers are being sidelined in favour of foreign preachers.
Rev. Yusuf said his crusade was scheduled to run from Monday to Sunday, while the programme by the Kenyan prophet was scheduled earlier, from Friday to Sunday, with no clash in dates.
He said he had already spent millions of naira on publicity and logistics, and that international guests had booked flights to Uyo, making any last-minute shift costly and disruptive.
Rev. Yusuf claimed he had appealed to individuals close to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, but they advised him to postpone his programme by a week.
He said the Ibom Hall management later informed him that the state government had decided to cancel the crusade unless he agreed to the postponement.
Yusuf wrote: THE IBOM HALL GROUND HAS CALLED TO RETURN THE MONEY WE PAID FOR THE VENUE OF THE UYO ONE MILLION CRUSADE. STATING THAT THE CRUSADE IS CANCELED.
”God has ordered that we get a new and bigger venue.
NOTHING CAN STOP THE UYO ONE MILLION CRUSADE.
The earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof.
”Some of our Jesus trailers are already in Uyo after spending eight days on the road and others are still on the way coming to Uyo.
*All our engineers are already coming in this week because it takes a minimum of about five days to mount the stage and other equipments for the crusade.
*We will go ahead and change the new venue on all the billboards, print new handbills after spending tens of millions on publicity.
The state government’s controversial action coincides with William Kumuyi’s well-publicised crusade in Uyo. Pastor William F. Kumuyi is the founder of Deeper Life Ministry, one of the largest churches in Nigeria, in Uyo from January 28-31, 2026.
Yusuf Cancels Uyo Crusade
However, based on the lingering controversy, Rev. Yusuf said in the social media on Friday, January 30 that he has cancelled the crusade in Uyo.
The Muslim-turned fiery Evangelist wrote: PRAISE GOD WE ARE MOVING OUT OF UYO AS DIRECTED BY THE WORD OF GOD.
”I am very grateful for all your support for the trials and pressure all this one month of moving our equipment and materials for the Uyo one million crusade.
We have come to the end of the road for Uyo.”
The government, PFN and CAN have insisted that I must move our crusade forward by a week to accommodate the Kenya/ government, PFN and CAN crusade.
We have decided to act according to the Word of God and move to the next city.
We have spent over 43 million Naira on this crusade project, moved our trucks and trailers to Uyo. Done mass publicity with so many billboards around Uyo city.
”We apologize for the five thousand evangelist we invited to Uyo from around the world, many have bought their tickets from America, UK, South Africa, Australia, Namibia etc.”
Meanwhile, CAN and PFN in Akwa Ibom State have commenced advertising the crusade of the long-bearded Prophet David Owuor who graduated from University of Nairobi in 1988 reportedly owning over 10 luxury cars, including a Mercedes S500 and a 2014 Range Rover and who once lived in the luxurious Dove Apartments in Westlands, Nairobi, a property worth approximately KSh 1.5 billion.
According to CAN and PFN, the crusade will hold at International Christian Worship Centre and healing crusade at International Conference Centre, Uyo from February 13 to 15, 2026, in Uyo.
Many Facebook users who commented on the controversy have condemned the government action as being embarrassing to the state.
NBG Africa on the Facebook wrote, ”For over a month, his billboards have been across Uyo and Akwa Ibom State promoting the One Million Man Crusade for Jesus. Anyone who understands event planning knows that before something of that scale is advertised, approvals for venue, security, dates, and logistics…”
PDP Slams Governor Eno
Under the title: GOVERNOR UMO ENO’S SURRENDER TO INSECURITY, SHAMEFUL, Comrade Ewa Okpo, the State Publicity Secretary, of PDP, in a press release, wrote ”The Government of Akwa Ibom State under the leadership of Pastor Umo Eno has, by its own official communication admitted that Uyo Capital City and, by implication, the entire Akwa Ibom State has become unsafe for residents, businesses, tourists, investors and even worshippers.
Even some men of God equally condemned the action in cancelling the crusade after a lot of money had been pumped into advertorials and transportation and hotel bookings, among others.
In an open letter to to CAN, PFN, and Fathers of Faith in Akwa Ibom, Apostle Nyeneime Andy, the Senior Pastor and Founder of Holy Ghost Ambassadors Ministry International (HGA), Uyo, said ‘‘I write this letter from a point of responsibility and experience, not from the outside. I write as one who has served within the structures of CAN and PFN, and who understands both the spiritual mandate and the administrative workings of our Christian leadership platforms.’’
Writing on the title: ”In God’s Name, Don’t Politic Christian Programs,” Andy said ‘‘This is not written in anger. It is written in concern. A concern for the spiritual health of the Church.
A concern for the unity of the Body of Christ. A concern for the dangerous line we are beginning to cross.
Choosing a Preferred Church Program Is Not Spiritual.
It is important to state clearly:
Directing, influencing, or suppressing Christian programs because of preference is not spiritual leadership.
In the days of Jesus, there were two major crusades happening at the same time:
John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness.
Jesus Christ was preaching in cities and villages.
The people chose where to go.
Heaven did not shut down John’s meetings so people would attend Jesus.
Jesus did not cancel John’s gatherings to increase His own crowd.
The Kingdom allowed choice.
Canceling a Minister’s Program Will Not Increase Attendance Elsewhere.
Experience has shown that canceling or frustrating one program does not make people attend another. Those who are led to attend a particular meeting will still go there, and those meant for another will remain there.
A practical example exists within our state:
Rev. Ntia of Full Life runs programs.
Dr. Ukafia of Insight runs programs.
They have operated simultaneously for years without the slightest friction , not even over logistics such as parking space.
Because they understand a deep truth:
The Kingdom of God is not in competition.
Those destined for Full Life go to Full Life.
Those destined for Insight go to Insight.
No conflict. No pressure. No politics.
With a population of over five million people, we do not have a shortage of souls to reach. The harvest is still plenty. The laborers are still few.
We must be careful not to create artificial scarcity in a Kingdom that operates on abundance.
When Christian leadership begins to suppress, discourage, or politically interfere with legitimate Christian gatherings, we set a precedent that will create serious issues for the future of the Church.
What starts as subtle control today can become structured oppression tomorrow.
And history has shown that once this door is opened, it does not close easily.
The government, through CAN or any platform, has every right to organize revival programs and Christian gatherings.
But that right must not infringe on the right of other ministries, churches, and servants of God to freely hold their own programs and serve God according to their divine mandate.
This is not just a spiritual matter.
It is also a matter of religious freedom and conscience.
A Call to Fathers of Faith:
Fathers, this is a moment to protect the purity of the altar from political coloration.
Let the Church in Akwa Ibom be known for:
Freedom. Unity. Mutual respect. Kingdom collaboration without control.
Let us not introduce a culture where ministers need permission to obey God.
Final Appeal
In God’s name, let us desist from any form of political oppression of Christian programs.
Let every ministry flourish in its calling.
Let every church serve God freely.
Let the people choose where they are spiritually fed.
Because in the end, we are building one Kingdom, serving one Lord, and preparing one Bride.
May wisdom guide our decisions, and may the unity of the Spirit be preserved in the bond of peace,” he adds.
