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| Governor El' Rufai |
• Governor says he won’t ban evangelism in Kaduna
Contrary to insinuations that the bill on religious preaching in
Kaduna State would ban evangelism, the state governor Mallam Nasir El’
Rufai, yesterday clarified that it was meant to curb emerging religious
extremism.
The governor, who made the clarifications at a forum organised by a
Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Carefronting Nigeria in Kaduna,
said his concern for the security of lives and property informed the
proposal.
Carefronting Nigeria Coordinator, Peter Maji, said the group was
moved to call stakeholders for discussion, because of the issues the
bill have generated in the state and across the nation.
Maji argued that the 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.
Represented by his spokesman, Mallam Samuel Aruwan, the governor
disclosed that government appreciates the reservations and contributions
of religious leaders, and other critical stakeholders who have made
their genuine positions on the issues known.
He noted that it was unfortunate that some people have started
politicising the good intention of government to restore peace in
Kaduna.
He further stressed that in the bill, Christian Association of
Nigeria, (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI), would have a role,
whereby strange ideological beliefs, that are not in tandem with both
faiths will be checked.
According to him, just before the present government came on board,
there were killings in Southern Kaduna and Birnin Gwari axis of the
state, which have now come under control.
“Government wants to curb extremism associated with religious
beliefs, and not to stop evangelism in the state, or stop people from
practicing their faith,” he explained. The spokesman added that the, ‘’Governor means 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,” he added.
The Director General, Interfaith Mediation, Namadi Musa, noted that
members of the Interfaith Mediation have gone round the three senatorial
zones, to sensitise the people.
He called on the state House of Assembly to make use of the public
hearing opportunity, so that people can contribute their inputs.
Among the stakeholders present at the preaching bill roundtable
included, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ja’amatu Nasir
Islam,JNI, Christian Lawyers, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and
other religious groups and Non Governmental Organisations.
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