By Gbenga Osinaike
Rev. Yinka Yusuf, Lead Pastor of Household of Love Churches based in Lagos, has expressed deep disappointment in the Church while revisiting the intrigues surrounding his much-publicized Uyo Crusade, which recently hit a brick wall.
Yusuf shared his concerns during a sermon titled “It Is Not My Enemy,” delivered at his Lagos church on Sunday, February 1.
He used the message to lament how certain members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have allegedly frustrated his evangelical efforts over the years. He also recalled how former President Ibrahim Babangida partly sponsored one of his crusades in Minna, Niger State.
Yusuf also used his pulpit to clear the air regarding allegations of extramarital affairs leveled against him.on the internet.
The Uyo Crusade Controversy
Rev. Yusuf, who stated he hails from the Afonja family in Kwara State, has been at the center of a storm over the past week following a planned deliverance event in Akwa Ibom State tagged the “Uyo One Million Crusade.”
Originally scheduled for February 9–15, 2026, the crusade was canceled after the Akwa Ibom State Government withdrew its approval for the use of Ibom Hall. Yusuf alleged that CAN and PFN pressured the government to block the event. However, the state government cited “vile, denigrating, and inflammatory” remarks made by Yusuf in a video—where he reportedly stereotyped the people of the state—as the reason for the cancellation.
Rev. Yusuf issued a public apology to the government and people of Akwa Ibom for his comments, noting that he had already spent over N43 million on planning. He maintained that his love for the people of the state was his sole motivation for the event.
A History of Friction
During his sermon, Yusuf expressed profound pain over the “betrayal” by friends and colleagues in the ministry. Stating that he did not become a Christian to join PFN or CAN, he recounted his conversion:
”When I abandoned Islam for Christianity many years ago, I faced total rejection from my family. My father gave me seven days to choose between my faith and my family. I told him I had already made up my mind and was ready to walk away. Today, I am not close to my Muslim family because of my faith in Christ. When I became a Christian, I was taken to the Sharia court and my name was removed from the family inheritance.”
Referring to the botched Uyo crusade, he claimed he was already on his way to the city when he received a call from PFN asking him to postpone the event by a week. He suggested the request might be linked to another visiting evangelist from Kenya.
Rather than succumb to the pressure, Yusuf decided to move the crusade to Delta State. “We are moving to Asaba. Nobody can stop the move of the eagles,” he declared.
Support Amidst Conflict
The cleric disclosed that he wept earlier that day due to the frustrations caused by fellow preachers. However, he noted that some colleagues reached out in solidarity:.
He said Pastor Isaac Omolehin called to pledge his attendance at his future crusades while Bishop David Abioye called to express concern and solidarity.. Pastor Lawrence Achudume according to him also sent a message of support, calling him “a fighter.”
Yusuf stated that his greatest worry is the difficulty in identifying his detractors. “When you are fighting and you know your enemy, you won’t miss the target,” he said. “But when the people you’re fighting are wearing your uniform, you won’t know how to shoot. If you’re not careful, you may be shooting your brother.”
He expressed such pain over the alleged betrayal that he remarked he would “rather be a suicide bomber in Iran than be part of CAN or PFN.”
Allegations of Extortion and Adultery
Recounting his 40 years in ministry, Yusuf alleged that officials from CAN and PFN had made unusual demands during past crusades in Benue and Niger States. In one instance, he claimed they requested N250,000 to buy “TomTom” sweets for choir members.
In another, he alleged that because he had already printed promotional fliers in Abuja, officials suggested he “import” people from Abuja to attend, rather than mobilizing local residents.
Contrasting this with his experience in Niger State, he recalled how former President Ibrahim Babangida helped fund a crusade by paying for the diesel used during the program. “Muslims are taking up the challenge of sponsoring crusades that our fellow brothers are antagonizing,” he remarked.
Yusuf addressed internet rumors regarding sexual impropriety. He denied allegations that a choir member had a child for him, stating:
”It sounds strange that I will be accused of having extramarital affairs and that a choir member of my church has a child for me. I am wondering where that child is and where the choir member is. I told God the day I sleep with another woman apart from my wife, He should not forgive me—He should kill me. So, I am wondering where this child comes from