CONTROVERSY TRAILS NIGER GOV’S DIRECTIVE MANDATING RELIGIOUS PREACHERS TO SUBMIT SERMONS FOR APPROVAL
By: Sefiu Ajape
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has insisted that it is mandatory for religious preachers to submit their sermons for approval before delivery.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, the governor addressed concerns over the law regulating preaching in the state.
“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. We cannot say because you have been given the opportunity to be a cleric, you will go out and preach the gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and you think it’s normal,” he said.
When asked if the decision was linked to fears of indoctrination, Bago explained, “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 Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military.”
The policy, which came to light earlier this month, has sparked controversy.
The Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, confirmed that preachers must now obtain a license.
“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 to visit our office, get, and fill out the form. After which, they will have to face a panel that will screen them before they can start preaching,” Farooq said.
Reacting, the Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bashir Yankuzo, stressed, “My opinion is that preaching is a command. The government is not paying anyone for doing the job; people are preaching in order to earn the pleasure of God. So, the government cannot dictate who to preach to and who not to preach to.
“But at the same time, if there are people who are going out of their way to cause security threats, using abusive words and so on, then government can have control over that in order to maintain peace and security.”
Similarly, the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Raphael Opawoye, said, “The Christian Association of Nigeria is not aware of the ban. We shall come up with a statement when we are officially informed.”
On his part, Islamic scholar Uthman Siraja criticized the move, saying, “The ban on preaching is an infringement of freedom of worship and religion.
“The best thing for the government to do is to invite and penalize any preacher who incites the public in the cause of his preaching.”
