Reactions Trail Soludo’s Ban on Open Evangelism in Anambra Markets

By Praise Chinecherem

Mixed reactions have trailed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ban on indiscriminate use of loudspeakers for preaching in public spaces.

The Governor also threatened a fine of ₦500,000 on anyone caught violating the noise pollution order by indulging in such open-place or roadside loud preaching

Soludo, in a viral video circulating online, was seen engaging a roadside preacher in a market, believed to be Ochanja Market in Onitsha, where he insisted that evangelism should not be forced upon traders and customers going about their daily activities in the marketplace.

The pronouncement by the Governor has sparked off a chain of reactions and counter-reactions from various quarters, especially traders and customers alike.

While some applauded the move, describing it as long-awaited intervention to prevent distractions and noise pollution as well as maintain sanity in public spaces; others termed it as attempts to stifle religious freedom, arguing that some traders’ lives have been changed and drawn closer to God through such market/roadside preaching.

Addressing traders at the market while also cautioning the preacher, the governor warned that anybody with intention of engaging in such loud preaching should build or rent a space where those interested in the message would listen to it.

He maintained that markets were meant for business, and not for turning unwilling listeners into a congregation or forcefully blaring their eardrums with loud sounds coming from the loudspeaker.

His words: “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.”