The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Kaduna State has described the controversial Religious Preaching Bill, currently before the Kaduna State House of Assembly, as obnoxious.
“Taking away our rights to preach and evangelise is telling us not to practise our religion as we are commanded by the Lord Jesus,” the PFN’s Chairman in the state, Prof. Femi Ehimidu, said at a press conference at the Household of Love Church, Sabo-Tasha in Kaduna on Monday.
The state government’s team, led by the deputy governor, Yusuf Bala, had told a delegation of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria that the bill, when passed into law, would curb religious extremism and hate speech.
But Ehimidu said the bill must be killed before being passed into law as according to him, it harbours the latent explosives to set the state on fire.
He said the bill was unacceptable to the Pentecostal Christians in the state, declaring that the religious body (PFN) would do everything possible to resist the bill becoming a law.
The PFN boss, however, ruled out any mass action against the government on the controversial matter.
Ehimidu noted that the bill was not only obnoxious but directly offended the Christian faith.
According to the chairman, the bill is completely against the nation’s constitution, the rights of Christians to practise their religion and should be jettisoned.
The cleric feared that with the bill, El-Rufai had opened another vista of hostilities between the Christians and the Muslims in the face of discriminatory implementation of the proposed law.
He said it was unimaginable for El-Rufai to exhume a military edit, which came into being when the constitution was suspended, arguing that it “smacks of mischief.”
The PFN called on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the governor to withdraw the controversial bill currently before the state House of Assembly.
Ehimidu added, “We do not see any reason why restricting and regulating religious activities should be the government of Kaduna State’s priority when the issue prevailing in the state currently for every family is how to put food on the table.
“Even the Nigerian constitution guarantees the freedom of worship and our rights to propagate our religious beliefs. The Kaduna State Government is not wiser than the whole lot of eminent Nigerians who gave the nation the constitution.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This man is just drawing unnecessary attention to himself...Some of his actions and decisions are unreasonable and utterly reprehensible...Well, as events are unfolding...
ReplyDeleteMr as events are unfolding it seems you are a bigot.This is a welcome development.People should know how to respect others right. There is no sense in this chaotic 24 hour noise all around in the name of religion. Carry go the able Governor. In this you are in the right part.
ReplyDeleteStupid Paul.... Ur name is not Paul but Mohammed.... Keep quiet there... U are the biggest bigot here..... Which religion makes 24hrs noise between the duo? Blunt head like you should know..... Is the government wants to create enmity between the two religions or friendship?.... And if it starts now, dat small body El-Rufai won't be able to curb it.... He should face economy betterment of Kaduna state first before raising unnecessary dust.... He doesn't have any tangible programs, if he has, he doesn't know how to execute them.... Otherwise, he won't be fighting sickness instead of its symptoms....
DeleteOga ur first question should have does what ur able governor is doing align with the constitutional right to free religious affiliations? Cos if you feel the church is constituting a nuisance by noise pollution what about ur mosques with their mega phones? Or you mean other governors can implement laws that will ensure that Muslims cannot worship the way they Islam should be practiced? Use ur head and not fanaticism.
DeleteStupid Paul.... Ur name is not Paul but Mohammed.... Keep quiet there... U are the biggest bigot here..... Which religion makes 24hrs noise between the duo? Blunt head like you should know..... Is the government wants to create enmity between the two religions or friendship?.... And if it starts now, dat small body El-Rufai won't be able to curb it.... He should face economy betterment of Kaduna state first before raising unnecessary dust.... He doesn't have any tangible programs, if he has, he doesn't know how to execute them.... Otherwise, he won't be fighting sickness instead of its symptoms....
DeleteAble governor u said "Fake Paul".... El-Rufai is a weakling! Mere looking at him, does he look able? Likewise his brain.... Administratively, he is at zero level.... It was during his tenure as FCT minister people begin to have high per tension... And sudden death.... Not that he won't do his job but he doesn't do his job with brain... As a good administrator, he should know how to balance ends.... Because of his stupidity in Abuja, he lost his two innocent children within the space of few months interval...... But this time around, God will not allow any of his family members to die suddenly but it is him that will go for it except he changes from his evil actions..
ReplyDeleteI agree with you mr Paul. Which right to religion are they taking them away from? Even in the white man world where we copy the so call religion are not acting wired. Thank God I don't have a religion. I believe only in God through Jesus christ my salvation.
ReplyDeleteLet's see the actual content of the bill, in other to respond accordingly. Truly relegion negative excesses needs to be moderated, but basic religious rights must also be respected.
ReplyDeleteI am calling on all Christians to kick against this obnoxious bill with fervent prayers. This bill is contrary to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which gives the freedom to worship.
ReplyDelete