Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has refuted claims that he banned evangelism, clarifying that his focus is on enforcing noise pollution laws.

Soludo came under criticism after a viral video showed him confronting a street preacher in a market, reminding him that noise pollution is prohibited under public health laws. He advised the preacher to move to a church or designated area, warning that violators face a ₦500,000 fine.

Amid mixed reactions, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, released a statement on Tuesday, saying: “The Anambra State Government wishes to address the misconstrued reports surrounding Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent encounter with an itinerant preacher at Onitsha Market.

“The governor’s remarks were wrongly interpreted as a ban on evangelism, whereas his concern was solely about noise pollution, which is prohibited under an existing public health law.”

Mefor explained that the governor was enforcing the Anambra State Public Health Law 2006, which “forbids noise pollution and preaching in inappropriate places like markets using loudspeakers.”

He also cited a 2019 court ruling in Nnewi upholding the noise pollution law against a church.

“The public is therefore advised to disregard any claims suggesting that Governor Soludo has banned evangelism or public preaching in Anambra State,” Mefor stated, urging compliance with the law.