Nigerian Governor Orders Religious Preachers to Obtain Licence to Preach, Issues Ultimatum

• Niger state government has stirred a fresh controversy in the polity after prohibiting all forms of religious preaching in the state
• Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago directed religious preachers engaging in public preaching to obtain a license between now and the next two months
• Bashir Yankuzo, chief imam of the Federal University of Technology and Raphael Opawoye, secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger state, have reacted to the directive

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago-led Niger state government has directed clerics to obtain a licence before they can preach publicly.

Preachers must secure a license - Niger state gov

Umar Farooq, director-general of the Niger state religious affairs, revealed this in an interview with The Punch, adding that the government has also banned public preaching.

“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 told Punch.

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As reported by The Cable on Friday, September 5, he said preachers are required to obtain forms from the agency, after which they will face a screening panel before being cleared to preach.

Outrage as Bago bans public preaching

Reacting to the directive, Bashir Yankuzo, chief imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, said the government cannot stop preaching but can regulate it where security is threatened.

“The government cannot dictate who to preach to and who not to preach. But at the same time, if there are people who are going out of their way to cause security threats,” he said.

However, Raphael Opawoye, secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger state, said the group was not aware of the directive.

Soludo bans clergymen from preaching in marketplaces

Similarly, Legit.ng reported that Anambra governor, Charles Soludo, banned loud preaching in markets, citing noise pollution and public disturbance.

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Violators face a ₦500,000 fine as part of the state’s efforts to enforce noise pollution regulations.

The governor warns against the misuse of public spaces and vows to crack down on fake pastors and prophets.

Governor Bago dances to Tinubu's praise song

Elsewhere, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu was endorsed as the sole candidate of the APC by the Niger state chapter of the party, and Governor Umaru Bago.

At the event in Minna, the Niger state capital, Governor Bago was seen dancing to the popular Rarara's Omo Ologo, a song singing the praises of President Tinubu.

Read from Niger state:

• Niger governor sacks commissioners, retains SSG, others
• Eid-el-Kabir: Governor Bago suspends traditional Sallah events, reason emerges
• Niger governor Bago shuts brothel, beer parlours near mosque, gives reason

Niger governor orders closure of radio station

In another development, Legit.ng reported that Umaru Bago was heavily criticised for ordering the immediate closure of Badeggi FM Radio station.

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Amnesty International joined other civil society organisations, including stakeholders, to condemn the governor's directive, describing it as an abuse of power.

Source: Legit.ng