Founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has strongly criticised restrictions on Christian preaching in public buses, declaring that Christians must enjoy the same freedom of religious expression as Muslims and warning against what he described as policies that unfairly target Christianity.
Speaking during a church service, Ibiyeomie described the restriction as a “stupid law,” arguing that it was unjust to prevent Christians from preaching in public while Muslims are allowed to use loudspeakers and microphones for religious activities.
According to the cleric, religious freedom should apply equally to all faiths.
“Since we allowed the Muslims to put microphones, nobody shouted. Christians will preach. If you say Christians shouldn’t preach, then they go their way and we go our way,” he said.
The outspoken preacher also took a swipe at some Christian leaders, accusing them of remaining silent on national issues because they had allegedly been compromised by political leaders.
“Most of them can’t talk because they’ve taken money from the leaders. Ask your president if I’ve taken one naira from him so I can talk,” he declared.
Ibiyeomie lamented the country’s worsening economic situation, saying Nigerians were enduring severe hardship while many influential voices had chosen to remain silent.
“This is the hardest time in Nigeria. People are in hardship, yet everybody is keeping quiet. During Jonathan’s time, they were shouting. You cannot compare Jonathan’s time and now,” he said.
The pastor warned against what he perceived as attempts to suppress Christian evangelism, cautioning that such policies could heighten tensions if not reconsidered.
“They should not promote such laws if they don’t want chaos in Nigeria. Otherwise, some of us will rise up and take it by force,” he warned.
He also questioned the priorities of lawmakers, arguing that the National Assembly should be concentrating on tackling insecurity, terrorism, hunger, economic hardship and the killing of Nigerians abroad rather than debating restrictions on Christian preaching.
Ibiyeomie further alleged that there were efforts to transform Nigeria into an Islamic nation, insisting that such a move would never succeed.
“They want to turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation. Some people think I’m joking. It’s coming, but it can never be. Nigeria will never be an Islamic nation. If you want peace as one Nigeria, practice your religion and let us practice our Christianity,” he said.
His remarks come amid ongoing public debate over the regulation of religious activities in public spaces, with advocates of the restrictions arguing they are intended to reduce noise pollution and maintain public order, while critics contend that any such measures must be applied fairly and without discrimination against any religious group.
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