A storm is brewing in Niger State as Governor Umar Bago’s latest move to regulate religious preaching has sparked fierce debate across religious, legal, and clerical circles.
The governor, while speaking on TVC, declared that “everyone going to sermon on Friday should bring his scriptures for review.” The statement was followed by a directive that all clerics must obtain preaching licenses within two months, a policy that has quickly divided opinion.
While government officials insist the policy is a revival of an old law meant to sanitize preaching and curb hate speech, critics see it as a potential infringement on freedom of worship.
Umar Farooq, Director General of Niger State Religious Affairs, clarified that the law is not new but dates back to 1985.
“What we are doing is reviving an existing edict to restore peace and prevent incitement,” Farooq told DAILY POST.
He emphasized that preaching has not been banned but warned clerics against inflammatory rhetoric. “Being a cleric does not mean you can say anything. Preaching must be based on God’s word, not hatred or insults,” he stressed.
Farooq revealed that the new system will also help the state track and register preachers, noting that training and certification would soon follow.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, moved quickly to calm rising concerns among Christians.
Daniel Atori, media aide to CAN Chairman, Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, explained that the directive currently applies only to Muslim clerics under Da’awa registration.
“At first, people thought it covered pastors, reverends, and imams alike. But it was later clarified that this is focused on Islamic clerics,” Atori said.
He acknowledged government concerns about inciting sermons but cautioned that any extension of the law to Christians must be handled with transparency.
Clerics Warn of Extremism, Rivalries, and Political Abuse
Not everyone is convinced. Islamic cleric Jabeer Mukthar Salisu in Kano warned that extremist preachers, sect rivalries, and political manipulation could have triggered the law.
“Some clerics incite followers into violence. Rivalries between sects—Ahlul Sunnah, Darika, Shi’ites—sometimes spiral into threats and hate speech. That’s dangerous,” Jabeer said.
But he also sounded a note of caution: “The fear is not today. The fear is tomorrow. This government may mean well, but what about the next one? Will they use this law to silence voices they don’t like?”
He urged clerics to correct one another through knowledge and respectful debate, rather than allow politicians or extremists to hijack religion.
Legal experts, however, say the governor is standing on solid ground. Barrister Usman Yau explained that the preaching law is rooted in edict powers introduced during military rule in 1985.
“Many edicts were later absorbed into our democratic framework. The constitution allows states to enforce laws that maintain peace and order,” Yau noted.
He argued that as long as the law is applied fairly, Governor Bago’s move is constitutional.
While the government insists the law will promote peace, critics fear it may be a ticking time bomb, especially if future administrations exploit it for political or sectarian control.
For now, Niger State is caught between two narratives: a government seeking order and citizens wary of creeping religious censorship.
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