Confusion as Governor Bans Public Preaching, Introduces Licence For Preachers
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that in an incomprehensive reason by the Niger state government, the director-general of the state religious affairs, Umar Farooq, has announced that the state government has banned any form of public preaching in the state, adding that any clerics that want to preach must obtain a licence before they can preach publicly.
OTN News further reports as gathered that Farooq who confirmed this new development while addressing the news men in the state, noted that any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months.
According to him, “It is true, the State Government has banned preaching, and any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months.
He added that preachers are required to obtain forms from the agency, after which they will face a screening panel before being cleared to preach.
However, reacting to the directive, the chief imam of the Federal University of Technology in Minna, Bashir Yankuzo, said the government cannot stop preaching but can regulate it where security is threatened.
According to him, "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.
However, Raphael Opawoye, secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger state, said the group was not aware of the directive.
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