The Catholic church of Nigeria has sent a message to Kaduna state governor Nassir El-Rufai over the proposed anti-preaching bill.
The bill had received public criticism after it was announced in the state.
Rev. Fr Evaristus Bassey, Director of Caritas International, a department under the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja cautioned El Rufai to thread with caution as no governor can be an emperor.
Bassey said although the laws are meant to curtail the excesses of religious men in the state, the content of the law appears to be quite overbearing and will hamper the constitutional rights of residents of the state to freedom of religion.
"The fear is that even if the proposed bill contains good aims, the proposed restrictions would play into the hands of officials of state who have a hegemonic mentality and would allow them the freedom to persecute one religion in favour of another.
"The principle of separation of state and Church/Mosque which springs from the supposed secularity of the Nigerian constitution would be severely battered if this bill is pursue in the way it is. Governor El Rufai, who is quite dogged in the pursuit of anything, given this tool, would pursue ardently both what is good and what may be divisive.
"We advise that Kaduna State rely on existing laws and existing state instruments of law enforcement, to maintain religious harmony in Kaduna State instead of reinventing the wheel. The majority of Kaduna people appear not to want this law, and their wishes should be respected, as no governor is an emperor but an elected official who should defer to the people’s will. The people’s will is sovereign; because of the potential abuses this bill could bring when it becomes law, we opine that it is not necessary” he said Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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We thank the CSN for that letter. They have spoken the minds of Nigerians. El" Rufai should quit this path of crisis.
ReplyDeleteIdle Governor who has no sense of focus and direction than to dabble into religious affairs, will this bill bring additional income to the Kaduna state Government? He should opt out for more better ways of governing Kaduna than all these issues which have little or no sense.
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