Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has defended his administration’s directive requiring religious preachers to submit their sermons for approval before delivery.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, the governor dismissed claims that the government had banned evangelism, insisting that the policy was designed to curb inflammatory preaching capable of inciting unrest.
“I didn’t ban evangelism. For everyone going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done,” Bago said. “We cannot say because you are a cleric, you will go out and preach messages that are anti-people, anti-government, and think it’s normal.”
When asked if the directive was linked to fears of indoctrination, Bago admitted it was part of the government’s concerns. “It’s in that direction. We want to be able to see what they are preaching, hear what they are saying. We are working together with security agencies — the DSS, Police, NSCDC, and the military,” he added.
Earlier this month, the Director-General of Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, announced that preachers must secure a licence before being allowed to operate in the state.
He said clerics had been given two months to obtain the licence, which would be issued after a screening process.
“It is true, the state government has banned preaching. Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months. All they need to do is visit our office, fill out the form, and face a panel that will screen them before they can start preaching,” Farooq explained.
The policy has, however, sparked mixed reactions. The Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Raphael Opawoye, said the body was not aware of any ban, promising a formal response once officially informed.
Similarly, an Islamic scholar, Uthman Siraja, faulted the directive, describing it as an infringement on religious freedom. “The ban on preaching is an infringement of freedom of worship and religion.
The best thing for the government to do is to penalise any preacher who incites the public in the course of his preaching,” he said.
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