Allegations of compromise and partiality have hit the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) following claims that both bodies frustrated a planned large-scale evangelical crusade in Akwa Ibom State.
A Lagos-based cleric, Reverend Yinka Yusuf, lead pastor of Household of Love Churches, alleged that the two Christian bodies compelled him to cancel a proposed “Uyo One Million Crusade” despite spending millions of naira on logistics and mobilisation.
Yusuf said the crusade, scheduled for February 9 to 15 in Uyo, was cancelled after CAN and PFN allegedly pressured the Akwa Ibom State Government to withdraw approval for the use of Ibom Hall, a venue he claimed to have already paid for.
In a Facebook post announcing the cancellation, the cleric apologised to about 5,000 evangelists he said were expected from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and Namibia, adding that trucks and equipment already moved to Uyo were being returned to Lagos.
According to Yusuf, CAN and PFN insisted that his programme be rescheduled to avoid clashing with another crusade involving a Kenyan cleric, even though both events were not fixed for the same dates throughout.
He further alleged that the Akwa Ibom State Government bowed to pressure from the Christian bodies by withdrawing approval for the venue on grounds of security concerns, describing the action as unfair and unjustified.
A letter dated January 27, reportedly issued by the Akwa Ibom Property and Investments Company Limited and signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Udomfang, cited “security concerns” and the prevailing situation in the state as reasons for the withdrawal.
Yusuf questioned why similar concerns were not raised against other large religious gatherings in the state, including an ongoing crusade by the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi.
Insisting that his mission was purely evangelistic and not aimed at establishing a church, Yusuf accused local leaders of CAN and PFN of working against gospel outreach efforts.
The Akwa Ibom State Government, however, rejected the allegations, accusing the cleric of hate speech and threatening legal action. The government also reportedly demanded proof of the claimed international invitees.
The controversy comes barely two months after the President of Word Assembly Ministries, Rev. Isaac Omolehin, accused PFN of hypocrisy and hostility toward certain clerics.
CAN is the umbrella body for all Christian denominations in Nigeria, while PFN represents Pentecostal and charismatic churches nationwide.
Efforts to get further comments from Yusuf were unsuccessful, as church officials said he would not speak further on the matter.
At the national level, CAN officials declined to comment, with the association’s Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, saying he was not aware of the issue. The Akwa Ibom State CAN secretary, Rev. Isang Eyoumoh, also said he was not authorised to speak on the matter.
PFN’s National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, said the fellowship was not aware of any plan to stop the crusade and promised that the matter would be investigated.
Bakare said PFN does not block evangelistic programmes and described the issue as possibly arising from local misunderstandings or miscommunication.
He added that PFN had previously collaborated successfully with Yusuf and other clerics on similar programmes.
Reacting separately, Rev. Omolehin accused CAN and PFN of undermining Christianity in Nigeria, alleging that internal actions by Christian bodies were weakening the church amid external threats.
He called for the dissolution of PFN, accusing it of failing in its regulatory responsibilities, while maintaining that CAN should remain due to its broader and more elderly leadership structure.
Omolehin said he intended to assemble a legal team to examine PFN’s constitutional obligations and possibly petition the Corporate Affairs Commission.
The allegations have sparked debate within Christian circles, raising fresh concerns over unity, leadership and regulation within Nigeria’s religious space.
