For sometimes now, in the northern part of Nigeria, Kaduna state government has been putting the religious activities in state under scrutiny especially Christianity.
This resulted into bringing up a bill tagged ‘preachers’ bill’ to oversee religious activities under the law especially ‘preacher obtaining license before preaching.
In response to this, a Christians group called the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian (PFN) dragged the state government to the state high court over the bill where the Christian group won the case, declaring that the state had no rights to screen and issue licences to religious preachers in the state. Calling the act ‘illegal’.
The court presided over by Justice Hajaratu Gwadah had explained in her ruling that the state government had the rights to regulate religious activities in the state.
However, the general umbrella for the Christian body: Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has affirmed their support for PFN and also maintained that if the state government is not ready to abide by court rulings, they will be heading to supreme court.
In a press statement, by the State CAN Chairman , Rev . John Hayab , “We invited you here to make a public statement on some recent developments in Kaduna State, particularly , the recent court ’s ruling on the controversial Executive Bill seeking to regulate religious preaching in our dear state .
“ We wish to state that the judgment of the court is a welcome development and a huge relief to all peace -loving people in the state, both Christians and lovers of peace from other faiths.“ Given the ominous purpose of the bill , we stand with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Kaduna State Chapter to legally pursue the matter to the apex court of the land.“ CAN is calling on the government to retrace its steps and focus on people -oriented programmes and stop exploiting religious differences to further polarize the citizenry .”CAN added. “
Meanwhile, if the government refuses to listen to wise counsel to obey the court ’s ruling on the bill to regulate religious preaching in the state , CAN will seek for alternative means to bring further to the observing eyes of the world the hostile approach of the government of the day in Kaduna State to the tenets of religious freedom and choice.
“ For a start , CAN has called for special prayers in all churches on Sunday 30 th June 2019 for divine intervention and for the leadership and people of Kaduna State and the country at large for God to grant leaders the wisdom to tackle the insecurity we are faced as a state and as a nation. ”
Here are people’s views on the Bill;
Samuel Adeosun, founder of Discovery House ministries said It’s wrong.
‘The reason is because we all have freedom to religion and freedom of speech as a democratic nation’
Odunayo said ‘Well i would to some certain extent , it might be right because it also applies to the Muslim clerics in the state. It enables efficiency in delivery of God given knowledge, in the sense that before any individual can ulter any ounce of word referring to any religious belief , he or she must be qualified to do so. However , it is wrong because it restrict the work of God in the North and also a means for these Islamic jihadist to eradicate Christian race in the north/state’
Ayomikun Falade, leader of Youth of Valour said: “It is a deviced way to stop the spread of the gospel.
They are just hiding behind that, Do muslims go out for outreach? They are all out for us sir. “
Read more opinions on this at FGL
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