PRESS RELEASE ON HATE SPEECH AND PASTOR YINKA YUSUF’S VITRIOLIC OUTBURST AGAINST AKWA IBOM STATE

 

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

𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 10 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘁

 

Nollywood actress Tonto W. C. Dikeh has earlier reflected on her marriage to ex-husband Olakunle Churchill, ten years after their public separation and battles, she wrote:

"We are living proof that the Word of God is eternal and unfailing.
God is not a God who abandons what He has started. When He begins a work, He stays with it until it is completed.

"After ten long years of public battles, deep wounds, broken communication, bitterness, and pain, God stepped in. What looked ugly, impossible, and beyond repair has been touched by mercy. Peace has replaced chaos. Respect has returned where anger once lived. What human effort could not fix, God healed by salvation, humility, and the sincere prayers of a child.

"This restoration is not by might, not by wisdom, not by strength—but by the Spirit of the Lord. When God moves, the human mind cannot comprehend the process. He softens hearts, silences the enemy, and rewrites stories that looked finished. Every plan of darkness has failed. Stubbornness has bowed. Pride has melted. Love has found its voice again for my child.

"I am deeply grateful to the father of my child Dr kunle for yielding to God’s word and choosing peace. Obedience to God always births restoration, even when the road has been long and painful.

"To anyone standing where I once stood, tired, wounded, misunderstood, and believing nothing good can come out of the situation.please hear this: God has not abandoned you. Your story is not over. What He has started, He will surely perfect. Keep praying. Keep choosing love. Keep trusting God even when it hurts.

"May this restored relationship remain built on the solid rock of God’s mercy, protection, grace, and mighty hand. May it stand as a living testimony that God never fails, never forgets, and never walks away from His own.

If God did it for us, He can do it for you. 🙏

To my spiritual father, Papa, thank you for grooming a God-fearing, impact-making woman out of a Total Mess"

#KINGTONTO
@highlight

Mount Zion LightHouse Church Retires Centenarian President, Begins Leadership Transition

 

The Board of Trustees of Mount Zion LightHouse Full Gospel Church has announced the retirement of its President, Archbishop Nyong Davies Ayakhdue, who recently turned 100 years old, citing age and health considerations.

The decision followed the inauguration and first meeting of a newly constituted Board of Trustees, held recently, at the church’s headquarters on Inyang Street, Calabar.

 Members of the Board were appointed in accordance with ecclesiastical procedures and duly approved by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

According to the Board, the resolution to retire the Archbishop from active leadership duties was taken unanimously after careful deliberations and prayers, and was aimed at allowing him a period of rest after decades of service to the church.

The Board disclosed that Archbishop Ayakhdue has been formally notified that his retirement will take effect on January 19, 2026, with transitional arrangements already in place to ensure administrative continuity.

 The Trustees also said the timeline would enable the completion of internal processes and the receipt of formal acknowledgement from the Archbishop.

In a statement, the Board described the decision as an expression of care for the Archbishop’s wellbeing and a necessary step to safeguard the future growth and stability of the ministry. 

Plans are also underway to organise a special service of appreciation to celebrate the cleric’s lifetime of dedication and leadership.

The Trustees emphasized that the action was taken in good faith and was neither punitive nor disrespectful, but guided by responsibility, love, and spiritual discernment. 

They noted that the leadership transition forms part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at repositioning the church to fulfil its founding mandate of soul-winning and spiritual growth.

Members, elders, and stakeholders of the church were urged to remain calm and prayerful during the transition period, while the Board reaffirmed its commitment to peace, unity, transparency, and inclusive dialogue as the process unfolds.

Police Neutralise Armed Robber, Recover Firearms in A'Ibom

 

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has foiled a planned armed robbery operation in Abak Local Government Area, neutralising one suspected robber and recovering firearms and other items during a late-evening operation.

According to the police, the operation followed credible intelligence received on January 2, 2026, indicating that a notorious armed robbery gang was planning to attack a petrol station along Ikot Ekpene Road by Ikot Ekang Junction in Abak.

 The gang was reportedly linked to a series of robberies targeting Point-of-Sale operators, petrol stations, and supermarkets within Abak and neighbouring communities.

Police operatives were immediately deployed to the location. At about 7:47 p.m., the suspects, numbering about six, reportedly arrived at the area and attempted to rob the pump attendants. On sighting the police team, the suspects opened fire, leading to a gun duel.

During the exchange, one of the suspects was fatally wounded, while the remaining members of the gang fled into a nearby bush and escaped on motorcycles. Police said some of the fleeing suspects may have sustained gunshot injuries.

A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of four locally made firearms, six live cartridges, two mobile phones, a brown bag, a wallet, and four Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards. The body of the neutralised suspect, who has yet to be identified, was found with charms tied to it and has been deposited at a mortuary.

Commending the officers involved, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, praised their bravery, swift response, and professionalism, noting that the operation prevented the robbery and ensured that no innocent life was lost and no property damaged.

The police command disclosed that an intensive manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information.

Members of the public, especially medical practitioners, were also advised to report any individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds under suspicious circumstances, assuring that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.

Thirteen Suspected Nigerian Islamic Bandits and Their Wives Arrested in Bong County, Liberia While Fleeing After US Airstrike

 

Thirteen undocumented Islamic immigrants from Northern Nigeria and their wives were apprehended in Bong County, Liberia while fleeing after a US airstrike. 

According to reports, the suspects, posing as traditional medicine merchants, were detained by the town chief and an immigration officer. Ten of them were found with expired travel documents. All remain in custody as investigations continue

Just in: African Union Condemns US Military Strikes On Venezuela, 'Abduction' Of President Maduro

 

The African Union has condemned the United States’ military strikes over Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States’ personnel.

Read the statement for full details