Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has clarified his stance on evangelism after facing criticism for confronting a street preacher in a market. Soludo’s concern, according to his Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, was not to ban evangelism but to address noise pollution issues.
The controversy started when a viral video showed Soludo advising the preacher to take his activities to a church or designated space, warning that violators risked a fine of ₦500,000. However, Mefor explained that Soludo was simply enforcing the Anambra State Public Health Law 2006, which prohibits excessive noise in public places, including markets.
Mefor emphasized that Soludo’s remarks had been misinterpreted, and the governor’s intention was not to restrict religious freedom but to maintain public order and ensure compliance with existing laws. This clarification highlights the importance of understanding the context and intentions behind public officials’ actions to avoid misinterpretation and misinformation.