The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday explained that the religious bill he sent to State House of Assembly is not meant to ban evangelism in the state but only to curb emerging religious extremism.
Disclosing this intention of the state government at the religious bill roundtable meeting organised by an NGO, Carefronting Nigeria, in Kaduna, the Governor’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan posited that the security of lives and property formed the basis of government intention.
He stated that the government appreciates the reservations and contributions of religious leaders and other critical stakeholders who have made their genuine positions known on the issue, regretting that some people have started politicizing the good intention of government to restore peace in Kaduna State.
Aruwan stated that if the bill is passed into law, the Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, and Jama’atu Nasir Islam, JNI, would have a framework where some strange ideological beliefs that were not in tandem with both faith will be checked, stressing that the bill is not a law and everybody should make contribution.
He recalled that just before the present government came on board, there were killings in Southern Kaduna and Birnin Gwari axis of the state but now everything was under firm control.
Aruwan said, “Government wants to curb extremism associated with religious beliefs and not to stop evangelism in the state or stop people from practicing their faith.
“Kaduna State Governor mean well for the people and wants to secure the lives and property of the residents of the state. There are emerging threats and we need to take drastic action now. We should all support this bill.”
On his part, Carefronting Nigeria Coordinator Peter Maji, said they were moved to call stakeholders for discussion because of the issues the bill has generated.
Maji said the roundtable forum tagged Kaduna State Religious Preaching Regulations Bill: Intention and Perception was aimed at getting the views of the critical stakeholders and finding the way forward for peace and development of the state.
On his part, the Director-General of Interfaith Mediation, Namadi Musa, noted that they have gone round the three senatorial zones in the state to sensitize the people, advising the State House of Assembly to make use of the public hearing in allowing the people make inputs.
Among the stakeholders present at the preaching bill roundtable included the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN,Ja’amatu Nasir Islam,JNI, Christian Lawyers, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria,PFN, and other religions and Non Governmental Organizations.
