Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has dismissed claims of banning evangelism, stressing the directive only regulates sermons and is not meant to prohibit worship.
In a televised interview on TVC News, the governor made it clear that evangelism remains permitted in the state.
He explained that the directive originated from the Religious Affairs department, which now requires clerics scheduled to preach on Fridays to submit their sermons for prior review.
Bago pointed out that such practices are not unusual, citing examples from other countries, including Saudi Arabia, where sermon screening is standard.
He said the initiative is designed to regulate religious preaching in order to curb hate speech and foster tolerance across Niger State’s diverse communities.
The governor emphasized that the policy is focused on ensuring peace and stability rather than restricting freedom of worship. However, his reference to Saudi Arabia has sparked mixed reactions.
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Critics argue that Nigeria, with its constitutional protection of religious liberty, should not adopt regulatory models from countries with vastly different political and religious systems.
Some observers describe the directive as a step toward promoting harmony and preventing incitement, while others view it as government overreach that could undermine religious freedoms.
Nigeria’s constitution guarantees the right to religious expression, and concerns have been raised that mandatory sermon screening may contradict those protections.
Bago’s clarification has brought the policy into sharp focus, with debates expected to grow among religious leaders, civil society groups, and citizens.
The discussion now centers on how the state can balance the need for security and social order with the protection of fundamental freedoms.
Crediblenewsng.com
