Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s pronouncement of a ban on public preaching, according to human rights lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), violates people’s right to freedom of religion.
A Christian preacher was reportedly stopped by Governor Soludo in Onitsha’s Ochanja Market because of noise pollution.
He told the preacher that he would be fined ₦500,000 for openly evangelizing in the marketplace, which was against the law.
Barrister Ejiofor also criticized the ₦500,000 fine imposed on those who disobeyed the ban.
In a statement released on Monday, an IPOB attorney noted
that Section 38 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), 2023, guaranteed the right to freedom of religion.
Even as he disputed the existence of such a regulation in Anambra State, he contended that the wider ramifications of such a ban would violate Christians’ freedom to promote their faith.
The State Governor’s clear prohibition may have limited religious freedom to a degree that many people aren’t even aware of. By making that pronouncement, the governor has referenced an unidentified “law” that forbids any kind of public preaching, including outreach activities and crusades that formerly took place outside of churches.
To prevent the noise pollution he claims is the reason for the ban, the governor should have talked about measures to regulate and limit these public sermons rather than imposing a total ban.
In dealing with the many serious and urgent issues facing our beloved State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo seems to be reaching his breaking point.
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What is the relationship between the general insecurity in Anambra State and the evangelism of nonviolence gospel preachers? He said, “These people are simply carrying out their biblical and spiritual mandate, which is to call people to faith and spread the word of God.”
He reminded the governor that his policies ought to be based on justice, equity, and respect for human rights. He went on to say that the ban on preaching in public needed to be reconsidered.
“In a democratic society, policies must be consistent with justice, equity, and respect for individual rights. The ban on public preaching needs to be reexamined because it creates a dangerous precedent. He continued by stating, “True leadership is about securing, not silencing; about building, not suppressing.”
