A new rule that Governor Umar Bago of Niger State, Nigeria, instituted that requires preachers to submit their sermons for clearance before to public delivery has been condemned by the Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF).
The CCYF called the rule “ill-thought, ill-advised, anti-religious, discriminatory, oppressive, and preposterous” in a statement signed by convener Paul James Adama.
According to the statement, “We do not subscribe to reckless, hateful, and inciteful preaching.” “However, we would like to categorically condemn and reject such a law and disregard it as a flagrant violation of the people’s fundamental human rights concerning their freedom of thought and religion, which is guaranteed by Sections 38 and 39 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution.”
The CCYF referenced international law, which views limits on religious freedom as oppressive and unlawful, including Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “Any kind of restriction on the rights of people to exercise their freedom of religion is generally regarded as oppressive and illegal under international law.”
Poor infrastructure, an average adult literacy rate of 38.1% as of 2022, and widespread poverty—more than 64% of the population lives below the poverty line—are among the issues highlighted in the statement. “Any well-intentioned government should focus on addressing these fundamental developmental issues rather than restricting religious freedom.”
“Jettison forthwith, the law subjecting preachers to mandatory licensing and requiring preachers to submit their sermon notes for verification and approval,” the CCYF said, echoing other voices who condemn the bill. “Good governance, peace, justice, respect for the Rule of Law, the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution, and the pertinent United Nations instruments and charters on religious freedom” are the goals of this.
