UYO: Fresh allegations of compromise and internal rivalry have unsettled Nigeria’s leading Christian bodies, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), following the cancellation of a proposed one-million-man crusade in Akwa Ibom State.
The controversy was triggered by claims from the lead pastor of Household of Love Churches, Rev. Yinka Yusuf, that he was compelled to cancel the planned Uyo One Million Crusade after CAN and PFN allegedly pressured the Akwa Ibom State Government to withdraw approval for the event.
Yusuf said the seven-day crusade, scheduled for February 9 to 15, was called off after millions of naira had already been spent transporting equipment and carrying out publicity in Uyo.
He also apologised to about 5,000 evangelists he claimed were invited from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and Namibia.
In a Facebook post announcing the cancellation, Yusuf alleged that CAN and PFN insisted his crusade be rescheduled to avoid clashing with another event involving a Kenyan cleric, Prophet David Owuor, even though both programmes were not fixed for the same dates throughout.
According to him, the Akwa Ibom State Government later withdrew approval for the use of Ibom Hall, citing security concerns.
He claimed the decision was taken despite his payment for the venue, accusing the government of yielding to pressure from Christian leaders in the state.
We have spent over ₦43m on this crusade project. But we have decided to withdraw and move to the next city rather than engage in conflict, Yusuf said, adding that his mission was to win souls for existing churches, not establish a new ministry in the state.
He also questioned why security concerns were raised against his programme while other large crusades, including one being held by the General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, were proceeding without disruption.
However, the Akwa Ibom State Government rejected Yusuf’s claims, accusing him of hate speech and disregard for due process.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, the government said approval for the crusade was withdrawn over what it described as “vile, inflammatory and insulting remarks allegedly made by Yusuf in a viral video.
The government described the comments as an affront to the dignity of Akwa Ibom people and inconsistent with Christian values, insisting that the decision had nothing to do with religious intolerance.
It also faulted Yusuf for failing to engage relevant security agencies, consult CAN and PFN in the state, or provide credible proof of his claim that thousands of foreign evangelists were invited.
Hate speech is not evangelism, the statement said, warning that legal action could be taken if Yusuf failed to tender an apology.
Meanwhile, CAN’s national leadership remained largely silent on the matter. The President of CAN, Rev. Daniel Okoh, did not respond to enquiries, while officials of the association in Akwa Ibom declined comment.
The PFN, however, promised to investigate the allegations. Its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, said the national leadership was unaware of any attempt to block the crusade, suggesting the issue might have originated at the local level.
PFN does not stop crusades. We encourage evangelism and have collaborated with many ministers, including Rev. Yinka Yusuf, in the past, Bakare said, assuring that the matter would be looked into.
The dispute has also revived criticism of PFN from some clerics. The President of the Word Assembly Ministries, Rev. Isaac Omolehin, accused both CAN and PFN of undermining Christianity through internal conflicts, calling for the proscription of PFN.
Omolehin alleged that PFN had previously blocked him and other clerics from ministering and accused the fellowship of failing to protect churches amid rising insecurity.
He said he planned to assemble a team of lawyers to review PFN’s founding documents with a view to petitioning the Corporate Affairs Commission.
The controversy comes amid growing concerns over unity within Nigeria’s Christian community, as external security challenges continue to threaten church activities across parts of the country.
