The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has clarified that it will not take legal action against the state government over the recently introduced preaching license requirement.
The clarification follows reports obtained by GospelRaw suggesting that the Niger State Bureau for Religious Affairs had banned religious preaching. The Bureau recently introduced a Da’awah Registration Form and Certification Process for preachers as part of efforts to regulate religious activities in the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday, CAN’s spokesman, Daniel Atori, explained that the directive does not affect Christian clerics and therefore does not warrant a lawsuit.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State chapter, will not sue the state government because the Bureau of Religious Affairs’ directive does not affect Christians. The meeting held by the Bureau was to introduce the Da’awah Registration Form and Certification Process as part of measures to prevent misunderstandings and curb misleading preaching in the state,” Atori said.
He added that the Bureau lacked the authority to ban clerics unless there was a clear violation of established guidelines.
Similarly, Haruna Mustapha, media aide to the Bureau for Religious Affairs, dismissed reports of a blanket ban on religious preaching, describing them as misleading.
“The attention of the Niger State Bureau for Religious Affairs has been drawn to misleading reports claiming that the Bureau has banned preaching in the state. These claims are inaccurate. The Bureau does not have the power to ban clerics unless there is a clear violation of established guidelines,” Mustapha clarified.
He further explained that religious leaders who wish to preach in the state are required to complete the Da’awah Registration Form, undergo evaluation, and obtain certification. The registration, which began on September 4, will close on September 30.
The Bureau said the initiative is aimed at regulating religious preaching to curb the spread of misleading messages and promote religious unity in Niger State.
