Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has defended his directive that all religious preachers in the state must submit their sermons for approval before delivering them.
Speaking during TVC’s Politics on Sunday, Bago said the policy was not aimed at stopping evangelism but at curbing hate speech and protecting the public.
“I didn’t ban evangelism. For anyone going to deliver a sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done,” the governor explained.
“We cannot allow clerics to go out and preach things that are anti-people or anti-government and think it is normal,” he added.
Bago further revealed that security agencies, including the DSS, police, NSCDC, and the military, would work with the state government to enforce the new measure.
Earlier, the Director-General of the State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, announced that anyone who intends to preach in the state must first obtain a licence within two months. He said interested preachers would have to fill out a form and appear before a panel before being cleared to preach.
The policy has stirred mixed reactions among religious leaders.
The Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bashir Yankuzo, faulted the state government’s decision to decide who can preach but admitted that restrictions may be justified if sermons threaten peace.
“Preaching is a command, and people do it for the sake of God,” Yankuzo said. “But if someone uses abusive words or poses a security threat, government can step in to maintain peace.”
On his part, the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Raphael Opawoye, said the group had not been officially informed of the new policy.
“We are not officially aware of it yet. We will respond when the government communicates with us formally,” he stated.
