Skip to main content

Fresh outrage in Niger as governor orders preachers to submit sermons for approval

The Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) has urged Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, to withdraw a controversial law requiring preachers to submit their sermons for government approval before delivering them.

In a statement signed by its Convener, James Paul Adama, the group described the policy as “anti-religious, retrogressive, oppressive and a gross violation of fundamental human rights.”

The CCYF argued that the law amounted to religious censorship, contravening Sections 38 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression.

It further pointed to global instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which safeguard religious freedom.

“Niger State has one of the highest poverty rates in the country with over 64 percent of its population living below the poverty line, yet the government is preoccupied with stifling religious freedom,” the statement read.

The group urged the state to prioritise poverty reduction, security, education, health and infrastructure over policies it deemed discriminatory.

Lawyer Lambasts Gov Bago

Activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, also criticised the directive, describing it as “the highest attempt, in recent times, to gag free speech and by extension police religion.”

He warned that the governor was distracted from the urgent task of tackling banditry across the state.

“To think that a Governor in a state like Niger, ravaged by insecurity, is not preoccupied with intelligence gathering and strategic efforts on reclaiming all local governments under siege by bandits— is a big concern about what the priorities of some Nigerian leaders are,” Idam said.

Both the CCYF and Idam insisted that the law should be scrapped immediately in the interest of peace, justice and constitutional rights.

ridoola.blogspot.com.ng
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Okpebholo suspends A-G & LG Chair under 3 months over finance dealings

The Edo Government has announced the suspension of Samson Osagie , its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Damian Lawani , chairman of the Local Government Service Commission. Mr Musa Ikhilor , Secretary to the State Government (SSG) announced the suspension in a statement in Benin on Thursday morning. ALSO READ: Kano Govt suspend 2 school principals for alleged absenteeism, negligence Ikhilor said the two-state top officials were suspended over allegations of “grave official and financial interactions”. Okpebholo suspends Edo Attorney-General and LG Service Commission Chairman According to him, the suspension, which takes immediate effect, is pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations. The SSG said; It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that Gov. Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Os...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tinubu appoints MKO Abiola's son, Jamiu as SSA on Linguistics & Foreign Matters

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters. The appointee is one of the children of the late Chief Moshood Kolawole Abiola , the winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida . According to a statement by Segun Imohiosen , the Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, Jamiu's appointment took effect from November 14, 2024. Imohiosen said the appointment aligns with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended. Until his recent deployment, the appointee served as the Special Assistant to the President of Special Duties in the office of the Vice President. Tinubu tasked Jamiu to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Imaan: Nigeria’s 1st Female Police Affairs Minister & Iron Lady of Women’s Affairs

As a reform-minded technocrat and empathetic policymaker, she is a dynamic force, bringing hope, competence, and equity to every ministry she leads. Early life & Background Imaan was born on April 19, 1980, in Jos, Plateau State. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim was raised in Abuja, rooted in a purposeful family, her father, S. K. Danladi , an engineer-developer, and her mother, Aishatu , a teacher. As the second of eight children, she grew up with early lessons in discipline and education. ALSO READ: Can a Doctor Save Education? Olatunji Alausa’s cure for Nigeria’s learning crisis Education Imaan received her early schooling at Aruwa Nursery and Jabi Primary, later attending Federal Government Girls’ College, Bwari. She graduated younger than most people from the University of Abuja, BSc in Sociology at 19, then two master’s degrees (MBA and MA in Management) from Webster University, London, by age 21. As of 2025, she is completing a Doctorate in Security & Strategic Studies at t...
Post a Comment
Read more