Pastor David Ibiyeomie has openly criticised the reported restriction on preaching inside commercial buses, insisting that no government has the authority to stop Christians from sharing the gospel.
The founder of Salvation Ministries made his position known while speaking to his congregation, where he described the move as unacceptable and questioned the reasoning behind it. According to him, preventing Christians from preaching in buses while allowing the use of loudspeakers in other public places amounts to unequal treatment.
Expressing his frustration, the cleric said he would never remain silent if Christianity or the message of Christ was being undermined.
"I am aware that they said people should stop preaching in buses. That's a stupid law. I will not be alive to see Christ being humiliated. The so-called men who are in the assembly, I don't know where they kept their brains.
"You're telling people not to preach in buses, but you allow loudspeakers outside. I will never be alive to see Christianity being humiliated in Nigeria. Never."
He argued that Christians deserve the same freedom to practise and express their faith publicly as members of other religious groups.
"Since they allow Muslims to use microphones and nobody is complaining, then Christians will preach. I don't care about the men in the office of preachers. Most of them can't talk because they're taking money from the leaders."
"Ibiyeomie also sought to distance himself from political influence, saying he had never accepted money from those in government and therefore had no reason to hold back from speaking his mind.
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 still talk against him. Ask him if I've taken one naira from him."
The pastor did not stop at the issue of bus preaching. He lamented what he described as the country's worsening economic and security situation, saying the government should focus on more pressing national challenges.
"So it's better you stop all those rubbish laws. There are killings everywhere, nobody is talking. Nigeria is one of the poorest nations on earth, nobody is talking. This is the hardest time in Nigeria."
He also compared the current administration with that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, claiming that many voices that were outspoken in the past have now become silent.
"When Jonathan was here, they were shouting. Now this government has come, everyone is quiet. Even preachers are quiet. All the preachers are quiet because we know they take money. I will talk because they talked during Jonathan's time. Can you compare Jonathan's time and now?".
Ibiyeomie maintained that his position was not driven by politics or tribal interests, stressing that his concern was solely about defending the Christian faith and ensuring that believers are not prevented from preaching.
"I will never be a tribalistic preacher. Never. Most preachers can't talk because of sentiments. Listen, I'm not interested in politics, but don't touch the gospel. You cannot insult Jesus while I'm alive and expect me to keep quiet."
Reiterating his stand, he insisted that Christians would continue to preach wherever it is lawful to do so, arguing that similar public expressions of faith are already visible across the country.
"I don't care about preachers who are busy holding meetings. Tell them to stop that law. It's not of God. If Muslims can also raise their microphones, then we are free to preach anywhere.
"There is no point stopping us. If you go to Victoria Street, their speakers are there. So you should not stop us from preaching. Even a mad man knows that Jonathan is better than this one."
The pastor's remarks come amid discussions surrounding public preaching and the regulation of religious activities in public spaces, with his message centred on what he believes is the need to protect the freedom to openly preach the Christian gospel.
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