Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the proposed One Million Man Crusade in the state by Christian cleric, Yinka Yusuf.
The Governor said the decision followed disparaging comments allegedly made against Akwa Ibom people by the cleric, which raised security concerns across the state.
Controversy has trailed the cancellation of the much-publicised One Million Man Crusade earlier scheduled to hold in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, from February 9 this year.
The backlash followed the circulation of a viral video in which the cleric, Yinka Yusuf, was accused of making uncomplimentary remarks about the people of the state.
In response, the Akwa Ibom State Government withdrew approval for the event, citing concerns over public safety and the need to preserve peace.
Speaking while receiving the General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Christian Ministry, William Kumuyi, at Government House, Uyo, Governor Umo Eno said the comments attributed to the cleric created tension and security fears, making the cancellation inevitable.
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The Governor praised Pastor Kumuyi for his humility, maturity, and exemplary leadership style, describing it as a model worthy of emulation.
Earlier, Pastor Kumuyi expressed appreciation to the Governor and the people of Akwa Ibom State for the warm reception accorded him and for the peaceful atmosphere prevalent in the state.
In a statement earlier issued by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, the State Government clarified that the refusal by the Akwa Ibom Property and Investment Company, APICO, to release the Ibom Hall Grounds was not based on security threats alone, but a reaction to what it described as an insult to the collective dignity of Akwa Ibom’s over seven point nine million indigenes.
The Government described the remarks as crude stereotyping and inflammatory, stressing that such utterances contradict Christian values of love, respect, and humility.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
