By Oyigu Elijah.
The recent directive issued by the Chairman of Dekina Local Government Area, Hon. John Urah, prescribing a one-hour limit for church services has raised serious constitutional and civic concerns.
Dear Mr Chairman, you don’t have such right to regulate the duration of Sunday Service
While the intention may be tied to public safety, the measure reaches beyond the lawful authority of a local government and intrudes into the sphere of religious liberty.
The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) establishes clear protections for freedom of thought, conscience, and religion under Section 38.
This freedom covers the right to worship in a manner chosen by the adherents of a faith.
Any attempt to dictate the internal structure or duration of worship steps outside the boundaries of what the law permits. The chairman’s order, therefore, stands on uncertain legal ground and places his office in conflict with established national standards.
The Constitution allows the government to take steps that preserve peace and public order. A curfew, when done through appropriate channels and in coordination with security agencies, may fall within such measures.
It can reasonably restrict movement during defined hours when threats are apparent. Even then, the curfew affects movement, not the content or length of worship.
I must commend governor Usman Ododo for being a leader in this regard. He has over time stood his ground and has constantly shown readiness to fight the criminal elements. But it seems such cemented resolve has not been replicated by some local government Chairmen.
The right to gather for religious services remains intact outside curfew hours. The power to modify or suspend certain activities in the face of genuine danger lies first with the state governor, who must rely on security assessments before issuing such directives.
No provision gives a local government chairman the right to regulate worship patterns or impose a time cap on services.
The internal life of any religious community is not a function of local administration. Matters such as teaching, prayer, sacraments, preaching, and the length of worship belong to the adherents and their recognized leaders. This is not also a license to hate speech, fake news and extremism.
They may adjust their schedules in response to curfews or risk advisories, but such adjustments must come through voluntary compliance, not compulsory government orders culminating to worship limit.
The chairman’s directive blurs this essential line, leading to a situation where the government appears to intrude into an area that the Constitution clearly shields from undue interference.
Community safety is a shared responsibility. If Dekina is facing risks that demand restrictions on movement or gatherings at night, honest communication with residents is the appropriate approach. Working closely with the police, civil defence, community leaders, and local vigilante groups provides a lawful path to strengthening the security system.
A more transparent engagement would earn public cooperation and reduce tension. Directives that appear arbitrary or excessive only create confusion and invite resentment, especially when they touch sensitive areas such as faith and freedom.
The chairman is expected to safeguard all residents by strengthening intelligence networks, improving coordination among security agencies, and supporting community-based vigilance.
These steps carry more weight than controlling the duration of religious services. A stronger security plan would reassure the public and show that the local government is focusing on real solutions rather than symbolic controls.
A few weeks ago, more than thirty people traveling from Abocho to Dekina to obtain their voter cards were intercepted and taken away, with heavy ransom demands placed on their families.
During the same period, several kidnapping cases occurred without restraint along the Ugbabo–Emewe Abocho stretch and the Abocho–Ajekalaga–Ajiolo route. These attacks were carried out with open confidence, and no meaningful counteraction followed from those charged with protecting the people.
Leaders should not wait to lament after each tragedy. They are expected to take the initiative, confront the threat, and push back with the same firmness that the state government has shown under Governor Ododo.
Given the nature and frequency of these incidents, the public expected a comprehensive security response rather than a restriction on church services. A strategic security summit involving Abocho, Biraidu, Anyigba, Okura, and the Dekina Odu axis would have been a timely and constructive step.
Such a forum would draw insights from traditional leaders, community groups, security experts, and local stakeholders, helping to build a coordinated plan to secure the entire area. This approach would speak directly to the realities on the ground and offer practical solutions that citizens can trust.
The individuals behind the attacks are not spirits. They move through the same forests, roads, and settlements that everyone else uses, and their success reflects the absence of visible strength from the authorities.
A community will only feel safe when those entrusted with power demonstrate readiness to defend it. The people of Dekina need proof of that readiness, not directives that do little to address the danger they face daily.
The churches and other religious bodies have contributed greatly to peacebuilding in Dekina. They provide moral support, social care, counselling, and outreach programmes that help calm anxious communities. Limiting their worship period does not address the roots of insecurity.
It is important to state clearly that the insecurity troubling Dekina did not arise from the length of Sunday services, nor will it be resolved by limiting worship to sixty minutes.
The Constitution protects the right of citizens to worship according to their faith, and no local government chairman has the authority to prescribe how long a religious gathering should last.
Leadership calls for thoughtful action, not symbolic measures that shift attention away from the real problem. The responsibility to secure the land rests with those elected to govern, and the people expect decisions grounded in law, reason, and genuine commitment to their safety.
If the intention is to provide strong leadership, then the path lies in strengthening security, not policing worship. The communities in Dekina face threats that require firm courage, strategic planning, and steady coordination with security agencies.
Our bush paths are unsafe, our forests hold dangers, and residents live with fear. These are the areas where decisive action is needed. Protecting the environment where people farm, travel, and live will bring more relief than regulating the duration of church services.
True leadership shows its strength through protection, vigilance, and solutions that address the roots of the insecurity, not through directives that miss the mark.
What is needed is wider surveillance, better communication, and a clear security action plan that reassures the public that the government understands its duty and is taking responsible steps.
The office of the chairman remains vital to community welfare. The people expect leadership that is thoughtful, respectful of the law, and sensitive to their rights. The directive on church service duration does not meet that expectation.
The people of Dekina deserve strong, fair, and measured leadership that focuses on practical protection rather than unnecessary controls.
At this moment, the chairman has an opportunity to reset the narrative. Withdrawing the one-hour worship directive, reaffirming respect for constitutional rights, and outlining a coherent security strategy would strengthen his credibility. Leading with clarity and fairness is the path toward a safer and more united community.
– Oyigu Elijah
