The pastor of the Unicorn’s Power Church International, Apostle John Etudaiye, has issued an apology to the former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, COON, over a misleading Facebook post he authored.
In an article titled, “From Fear to Peace in Ebira Land: His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as a Case Study of Leadership Against Insecurity,” authored by Apostle Etudaiye and later recanted, he acknowledged that he misrepresented facts and inadvertently misled members of the public through the publication.
“I write with profound respect, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility to sincerely tender my unreserved apology regarding my recent publication and any misunderstanding, discomfort, concern, or unintended implications it may have caused. As a law-abiding citizen of Kogi State, I wish to state unequivocally that I had no intention whatsoever to disrespect Your Excellencies, undermine your leadership, or misrepresent any individual, institution, or government.
“My sole intention was to express my personal views and appreciation of the efforts made toward the promotion of peace, security, and development in Kogi State, particularly in Ebira Land,” he said.
Etudaiye noted with regret that his article, in which he accused former Governor Yahaya Bello and the incumbent Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of not doing enough to address insecurity in Ebiraland, was written mala fide and without adequate understanding of the issues and sufficient consultation with relevant stakeholders.
“However, upon further reflection and following consultations and interactions with concerned stakeholders, I sincerely regret any aspect of the publication that may have been misconstrued, misunderstood, or considered inappropriate. I deeply value and respect Your Excellencies, your distinguished personalities, and the esteemed offices you occupy, and I would never knowingly engage in any act capable of bringing disrepute to your leadership or the Government of Kogi State,” he stated.
The incident is a reminder of the dangers of misinformation, unhealthy criticism, and sustained media attacks on public leaders without proper verification of facts. While constructive criticism remains an essential part of democratic engagement and accountability, public commentary should be guided by fairness, accuracy, and a commitment to the truth. The dissemination of inaccurate or misleading information can distort public perception, undermine confidence in institutions, and unfairly diminish efforts being made to address societal challenges.
