CONTROVERSIAL PREACHING BILL: Kaduna CAN Meets El-Rufai

Nasir El-Rufai

GOVERNOR of Kaduna State, Nasiru El-Rufai yesterday met with officials of the state branch of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in respect of the controversial bill aimed at putting restrictions on religious preaching within the border-lines

 

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy-Governor,, Mr Barnabas Bala, met with the CAN officials for about an hour behind closed doors at the Government House, Kaduna stating that the law has been in existence since 1984 adding that the state government is going ahead with the bill irrespective of the public condemnations.

In a press statement after the meeting, the governor’s spokesman, Mr Samuel Aruwan, stated that the bill seeks to ensure that religious preaching and activities in the state are conducted within the ambit of the laws to avert breach of public peace and infringement of the rights of others.

“This is not a new law, it has existed since 1984, with amendments in 1987 and 1996.” According to him, the bill has not in any way affected people’s right to religious freedom. “The bill, by virtue of Section 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution, is in order and does not offend the provisions of the constitution. The provisions of the bill are in tandem with the Constitution. 

“There is nothing in the bill that suggests any effort to abolish, stop or derogate on the freedom of religion and religious beliefs. “It merely seeks to ensure that religious preaching and activities in the state are conducted in ways that do not threaten public order, public safety, and to protect the rights and freedom of other persons”, he said.

Confirming the meeting, the state CAN Chairman, Bishop George Dodo, stated that the meeting was on the controversial bill, however said the association will study the it prior to issuing a statement on it.

“When we are through with the study, memo will be sent to the state Assembly; on the day of public hearing we will explain more, but now it would be premature to say the position of CAN,” he said. On concerns raised by the public that the government is trying to muzzle religious freedom, the CAN chairman said: “I don’t think any governor has the power to enact law that will supersede what is in the constitution. “The constitution guarantees every person the right to practice his/her religion, I don’t think there is any governor that can enact a law in that regard. 

“Governors ask for prayers in all places of worship, so how would they enact a law that will ban the practice of religion”, Dodo said.

Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had reportedly stated that several Islamic groups, including the state Council of Imams and Ulamas, had also rejected the controversial bill.