By Our Reporter

Copyright pointblanknews

Niger State governor Umar Bago has ordered preachers in Niger state, to submit their sermons for review before it is made public.

Speaking during an interview on TVC’s Sunday Politics’, Bago denied placing ban on evangelism in the state but added that sensorship of sermons is done in other climes.

He added that the state government wants to know what the preachers would be saying to avoid “anti-people and anti-government” sentiments.

“I didn’t ban evangelism. The religious affairs said for anybody going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review,” he said.

“It’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, it is done like that. We cannot say because you have been given the opportunity to be a cleric, you will go out and preach some gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and you think it’s normal.

“We want to be able to see what they are preaching, and hear what they are saying.”

This is not the first time the Niger state government would be making pronouncements of this nature.

In August, Bago ordered the commissioner of police to seal off Badeggi FM radio station over alleged incitement.

In April, the governor ordered the arrest of Minna residents with dreadlocks and directed that their hair be trimmed.

He had claimed that the decision was part of a broader effort to curb crime and social vices. The order had elicited a backlash.