Founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has urged the government to focus on addressing Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and economic hardship rather than introducing what he described as restrictions on preaching in public buses.
Key Highlights
- Pastor David Ibiyeomie has urged the Nigerian government to prioritize insecurity and economic hardship over restrictions on public preaching.
- The Salvation Ministries founder described the reported move to restrict Christian evangelism in public buses as unacceptable.
- He argued that Christians have a constitutional right to preach the gospel freely.
- Ibiyeomie criticized the government’s handling of widespread killings and poverty, saying these issues deserve greater attention.
- He also accused some religious leaders of remaining silent because of their financial relationships with politicians.
Speaking during a church service, the cleric lamented the country’s current state, saying Nigerians are facing one of the most difficult periods in recent history, with poverty and killings becoming widespread.
According to him, public attention should be directed at tackling these pressing challenges instead of limiting Christian evangelism.
Ibiyeomie also criticized what he described as an alleged move to stop Christians from preaching in buses, insisting that believers have the constitutional right to spread the gospel freely.
“Are you aware that they said they should stop preaching in buses? That’s a stupid law. I will not be alive to see Christ being humiliated.
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Since they allowed Muslims to use microphones, then Christians will preach anywhere,” he said.
The pastor further accused some religious leaders of remaining silent because of their relationship with politicians, claiming he has never received financial support from President Bola Tinubu and therefore has no reason to withhold criticism.
“Go and ask your president if I’ve taken one dime from him. You can’t take money from a man and still talk to him. There are killings everywhere, nobody is talking.
“Nigeria is one of the poorest nations on earth, nobody is talking. During Jonathan’s time they were shouting, but now everyone is quiet. Most preachers are quiet because they take money,” he added.
He maintained that any policy perceived as restricting Christian preaching could create unnecessary religious tension, reiterating that the government should prioritize solving the nation’s economic and security challenges.
The comments have since generated mixed reactions online, with supporters praising his stance on religious freedom, while others argued that any regulations on public preaching should be applied equally to all religious groups.
