State governor directs preachers to submit sermons for approval before preaching
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has defended his administration’s directive requiring religious preachers in the state to submit their sermons for approval before delivery.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, Bago dismissed claims that the government had banned evangelism. Instead, he said the move was aimed at preventing inflammatory preaching capable of inciting the public against 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,” the governor explained. “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 new policy was introduced out of fear of indoctrination, the governor admitted that 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, had announced that preachers must secure a licence before being allowed to operate in the state. He said the government had given preachers two months to obtain the licences.
“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 stated.
However, the directive has drawn 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.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is not aware of the ban. We shall come up with a statement when we are officially informed,” he said.
An Islamic scholar, Uthman Siraja, also faulted the move, 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,” Siraja argued.