- Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, denied banning evangelism and emphasized the focus on reducing noise pollution, which is already prohibited under public health law.
- Soludo faced criticism after a viral video emerged revealing him confronting an unidentified street preacher in a market on Saturday.
- The governor imposed noise pollution laws on a preacher, advising him to relocate to a designated space and imposing a ₦500,000 fine for violators.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has refuted allegations that he has prohibited evangelism within the state, emphasizing that his primary concern is the reduction of noise pollution, which is already addressed by an existing public health statute.
The governor encountered backlash following the circulation of a video depicting him addressing an unidentified street preacher in a market setting on Saturday.
In the video, the governor instructed the preacher to cease creating a disturbance, reminding him of the legal restrictions on noise pollution. He suggested that the preacher relocate his activities to a church or a designated area, cautioning that those who violate this regulation could face a fine of ₦500,000.
This incident has elicited varied responses, with certain religious leaders and human rights advocates accusing him of violating the constitutional right to freedom of worship. However, in a statement released on Tuesday, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, clarified that these interpretations were erroneous.
The statement read: “The Anambra State Government wishes to address the misconstrued reports surrounding Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent encounter with an itinerant preacher at Onitsha Market.
“The governor’s remarks were wrongly interpreted as a ban on evangelism, whereas his concern was solely about noise pollution, which is prohibited under an existing public health law.”
Mefor elaborated that Soludo was upholding the Anambra State Public Health Law of 2006, which prohibits excessive noise in public venues, including markets.
“To clarify, the governor referenced the Public Health Law 2006, which forbids noise pollution and preaching in inappropriate places like markets using loudspeakers. He advised preachers to conduct their activities in churches or designated locations where people can willingly participate without disrupting others’ daily activities,” the statement added.
The commissioner also referenced previous legal actions on this matter, noting that in 2019, a magistrate’s court in Nnewi upheld the law against a church that had violated it.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard any claims suggesting that Governor Soludo has banned evangelism or public preaching in Anambra State. Instead, we urge citizens to comply with the Public Health Law and respect the rights of others,” he said.
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