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Founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has condemned the recent ban on preaching in commercial buses, insisting that Christians should enjoy the same freedom to publicly practise their faith as Muslims.
Speaking during a church service, Ibiyeomie argued that preventing Christians from preaching in buses while allowing Muslims to use loudspeakers amounted to unequal treatment, stressing that freedom of religion must apply equally to everyone.
“Allow Christians alone. As we allow Muslims, also allow Christians,” he said.
“If Muslims can also raise their microphone, we are free to preach. There is freedom of religion. Nobody is warning the Muslims… You should not stop us from preaching.”
The cleric urged journalists covering his sermon not to distort his remarks, insisting that his comments should be reported exactly as delivered.
“Don’t edit what I said. Put it as I said it. We want peace. Don’t turn my words,” he repeatedly warned.
Ibiyeomie declared that he would never remain silent if Christianity was being “humiliated,” warning against any policy that he believed unfairly targeted Christian evangelism.
“I will never be alive to see Christianity be humiliated in Nigeria. Never.”
He further alleged that there were attempts to turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation but insisted such efforts would fail.
“They want to turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation. Some people think I’m joking. It’s coming, but it can never be. Nigeria will never be an Islamic nation.”
The pastor added that if Nigerians could no longer freely practise Christianity, some believers would rather leave than surrender their faith.
“Otherwise, some of us will leave… If you want it, then carry your part which is Muslim and go. We go. But if you want peace, as you practise your religion, practise your Christianity.”
Ibiyeomie also criticised what he described as the silence of many Christian leaders, alleging that some had compromised their independence because of political patronage.
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“Most preachers can’t talk because they’ve taken money from the leaders. Go and ask your president if I’ve taken one dime from him so I can talk. You can’t take money from a man and talk to him.”
He also rejected suggestions that his criticism was driven by ethnicity, insisting he had always spoken out regardless of who occupied the presidency.
“I will never be a tribalistic preacher. Never.”
Drawing a comparison between former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and the current government, Ibiyeomie said many religious leaders who were vocal in the past had now gone quiet despite worsening conditions.
“Jonathan was here, they were shouting. It has come now, everyone is quiet. Even preachers are quiet.”
According to him, tribal and political sentiments were responsible for the silence.
“Do you know why they are not talking? Tribalism.”
The cleric further argued that lawmakers were focusing on issues such as restrictions on preaching while failing to confront more pressing national problems, including insecurity, terrorism, hunger and the plight of Nigerians abroad.
“Terrorism is a problem. Hunger is a problem. Nigeria has a problem.”
“They have not passed laws about Nigerians being killed every day. They have not stood up to say, ‘South Africa, stop this rubbish you are doing to Nigerians.'”
Ibiyeomie warned that authorities should avoid policies capable of creating religious tension, insisting that peace can only be sustained when all faiths enjoy equal rights under the law.
“If you want peace, as Muslims practise their religion, allow Christians to practise theirs.”
