Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has denied claims that he banned evangelism in the state. He clarified that his actions were strictly aimed at controlling noise pollution, which is already prohibited under an existing public health law.
Soludo’s response comes after a video surfaced online showing him confronting a street preacher at a market in Onitsha. In the footage, the governor instructed the preacher to stop making noise, reminding him of the law against excessive sound in public places. He also warned that violators could face a fine of ₦500,000.
Following the incident, the video sparked debate, with some religious leaders and human rights activists accusing Soludo of restricting freedom of worship. Many questioned whether the governor’s actions amounted to a crackdown on public evangelism.
However, in an official statement on Tuesday, Anambra State’s Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, dismissed these claims. He stated that Soludo’s comments had been misinterpreted, adding that the governor was only enforcing existing laws on public health.
“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,” the statement read.
Mefor further explained that the enforcement of the Anambra State Public Health Law 2006 was necessary to prevent disturbances in public areas, including markets. He noted that the law specifically prohibits preaching with loudspeakers in inappropriate places.
“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 pointed out that legal actions have been taken in the past against those who violated noise pollution regulations. He cited a 2019 case in which a magistrate’s court in Nnewi upheld the law against a church that failed to comply with noise control rules.
Mefor urged the public to ignore false reports suggesting that evangelism had been banned in the state. Instead, he called on residents to obey the law and respect the rights of others.
“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.
