Pastor David Ibiyeomie Blast Nigerian Senate Over Ban Of Bus Preaching

The founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has criticised the restriction on Christians preaching in public buses, insisting that believers should enjoy the same freedom of worship as adherents of other faiths.

Speaking during a church service, the cleric described the policy as unreasonable, arguing that Christians should not be prevented from publicly sharing their faith while other religious groups are permitted to use loudspeakers and microphones for their activities.

According to him, if Muslims are allowed to conduct public religious activities with amplification devices, Christians should be granted the same privilege.

“Since we allowed the Muslims to put microphones, nobody shouted. Christians will preach. If you say Christians shouldn’t preach, then they go their way and we go our way,” he said.

Ibiyeomie also criticised some Christian leaders for what he described as their silence on issues affecting the faith, alleging that some had been compromised.

He claimed that many church leaders were reluctant to speak out because of their relationship with those in power, adding that he had never accepted money from the country’s leadership and therefore felt free to express his views.

The preacher further lamented the economic situation in Nigeria, describing the current period as one of severe hardship. He argued that many voices that were previously outspoken had become silent despite worsening conditions.

“This is the hardest time in Nigeria. People are facing hardship, yet everybody is keeping quiet. During Jonathan’s time, they were shouting. You cannot compare Jonathan’s time and now,” he said.

Ibiyeomie warned against policies he believes unfairly target Christianity, cautioning that such measures could heighten religious tensions if not handled with fairness and sensitivity.

He also questioned why lawmakers were focusing on restricting Christian preaching instead of addressing more pressing national challenges, including insecurity, terrorism, economic hardship and the reported killing of Nigerians in South Africa.

The cleric further alleged that there were attempts to turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation, a claim for which he provided no evidence. However, he maintained that the country should uphold religious freedom for all citizens.

“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. If you want peace as one Nigeria, practise your religion and let us practise our Christianity,” he said.