The YouTube channel of Pastor T.B. Joshua Emmanuel TV has been suspended for allegedly propagating hate speech.
Joshua is the founder of The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN).
The church said in a statement posted to Twitter on Thursday concerning the suspension: “Our mission is to share the love of God with everyone – irrespective of race or religion – and we strongly oppose all forms of hate speech! We have had a long and fruitful relationship with YouTube and believe this decision was made in haste.”
The YouTube channel, which had over 1.8 million subscribers and 600 million views before suspension, was among the largest in Nigeria and reportedly the most watched Christian ministry ever on the video-sharing platform.
The church also published on Facebook the video that led to the channel’s suspension.
The video titled “‘THE SPIRIT OF MAN IS TORMENTING YOU!!!’ | TB Joshua Personal Prophecy” was about Chetanna Nwabuwa a Nigerian living in Ghana who was allegedly possessed by a strange spirit.
The incident has led to public outcry from Joshua’s followers on social media.
Suzanne Mare, one of the followers of Emmanuel TV, expressed anger and frustration over the development.
“I have followed SCOAN and Emmanuel TV for 18 years and not once have I encountered any form of hate speech. I find your censorship extremely disturbing,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I had depression and attempted suicide twice but after watching Emmanuel TV and realising how much God loves me, my life was saved,” Rita Machipanda emotionally wrote on Facebook, pleading with YouTube to restore the channel.
YouTube had earlier awarded Emmanuel TV a gold creator award for surpassing 1 million subscribers, an achievement which attracted commendation from the company’s CEO Susan Wojcicki.
