Christian leaders dare Northern govs on preaching licence •We will resist the move —CAN

Following the agreement by 19 Northern governors to commence the issuance of licences to all religious organisations and preachers in all states of the region, as a way of addressing the proliferation of sects and preachers, clerics across the country have reacted to the move.

The governors, who agreed to “establish a regulatory mechanism to consistently monitor activities of newly registered and unregistered religious organisations, ascertain the sources of their funds, both locally and internationally,” among other issues, issued a seven-page communiqué.

The Coordinating Chaplain of the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, and Bishop of the African Church, Right Reverend Peter Ogunmuyiwa, speaking with Enewz, stated that “my reaction is not different from the position of CAN and we have made our position known to the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai earlier, stating our opposition to such decision.


It is unfortunate that the Northern governors have come to endorse it and we will rise against such move. By the grace of God, it will not see the light of day because the church’s mandate is to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ and Nigeria’s constitution recognises freedom of speech and association.


Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin of Ibadan Catholic archdiocese, who also expressed displeasure at the development stated that “sometimes, some people in government forget that those in the church are also Nigerians. Any member of the church can also become a governor.

Affairs have been mismanaged by political leaders and that is why things like taxing the church has come in. We shall resist these moves to the last. The church shall not accept it. The church is not given to violence but by our own reaction, even those who support them will begin to have a rethink.”

Bishop Moyinoluwalogo Ibikunle of Okun Diocese, Methodist Church Nigeria, Kogi State, noted that his diocese is in a predominantly Christian community and thus it would be wrong for the governors to adopt such a position.

An executive member of the Christian Youth Network for Better Nigeria, with headquarters in Kaduna State, Simon Topa Ozigagu, stated that “That is a very terrible thing.

Why must preachers be licensed? It is a calling and a spiritual thing. If they ask preachers to be licensed, even dubious characters could be given licences. Why should government regulate religious activities? Even in the Hausa climes, it doesn’t work like that. We understand that churches are registered but licensing preachers is wrong and we frown on such a move.”