The governor referenced the Public Health Law 2006, which forbids noise pollution and preaching in inappropriate places like markets using loudspeakers.
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state has stated that he did not prohibit evangelism, contrary to what some individuals have believed, but rather he prohibited noise pollution.
After a video of the governor confronting an unidentified street preacher in a market on the previous Saturday went viral, the governor has been subjected to criticism from a number of stakeholders in Nigeria.
It is captured on video that the governor issued an order to the preacher, telling him to stop causing a disturbance and reminded him of the legislation that prohibits noise pollution.
He cautioned him that those who disobeyed the rules would be subject to a fine of N500,000 and suggested that he take his sermons to a church or a certain location.
In response to the criticism that he got, the governor issued a statement that was signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor.
In the statement, he insisted that Soludo’s statements had been misunderstood and disputed the allegations that evangelism had been prohibited.
It reads, “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.
“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 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.”
IREPORT247NEW reported that Roadside preachers who use loudspeakers in public locations, notably markets, have been issued a strong warning by the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo.
He has accused these preachers of contributing to noise pollution and irritating inhabitants of the area.
As stated by Soludo, any anyone who is found to be in violation of the noise pollution order will be subject to a fine of ₦500,000.
An anonymous roadside preacher at a market is shown in a video that went popular on social media on Saturday.
The video shows Soludo advising the preacher to cease disrupting the transactions of the market’s businessmen.
Make your way to a church if you wish to give a sermon. individuals who are interested in hearing your message will come to you. You cannot compel individuals in the market to listen to what you have to say, he added.
The preacher was given the recommendation to either preach in a church or rent an open field, and he was told that individuals who were interested in listening would seek him out in the open field.
Soludo said, “If you want to preach the word of God, go to your church. You are causing noise pollution here. You cannot come to a marketplace and disturb everyone.
“If you want to preach, go to a church. Those who want to listen will come to you; you cannot force people in the market to hear your message.
“This is a marketplace, not a church. You are violating the law. You cannot take over a public space and turn it into a church. Otherwise, you will be charged for using this space.
“You will pay ₦500,000 because we cannot allow this. We have banned loudspeakers in markets due to noise pollution, which affects people’s eardrums. You cannot force people to listen to your preaching. We are cracking down on fake pastors and prophets in Anambra.”