Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has said that religious preachers in the state will be required to submit their sermons for approval before addressing their congregations.
Bago made the remarks on Sunday during an interview on TVC, where he defended the state government’s plan to regulate preaching through a licensing framework.
“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 said.
He added that the measure was necessary to prevent messages capable of inciting the public.
“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 law was aimed at curbing indoctrination, Bago replied that it was “in that direction,” noting that security agencies including the DSS, Police, NSCDC, and the military would be involved in monitoring compliance.
The development, which first surfaced earlier this month, has drawn mixed reactions across the state. The Director-General of the Niger State Religious Affairs Board, Umar Farooq, had earlier announced that any preacher intending to operate in the state must obtain a licence within two months.
“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,” Farooq said at the time.
