By Mohammad Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), has joined other bodies in condemning the proposed ‘preaching bill’ of Kaduna state government, which seeks to license preachers and prohibit public preaching.
Kaduna State Chapter of the group said, Governor Nasir El-Rufai is now afraid, engrossed and hypnotized with the fear of religious institutions rising against him in 2019, if he fails to perform to expectation.
The group recalled that religious groups played a greater role in the success of current government during 2015 elections.
MSSN President, Malam Sabiu Shitu Bindawa who disclosed this to newsmen warned the State Assembly against passing the bill.
He urged the state government to test the bill’s acceptance through a Referendum in the state.
“The state government having seen and realized the monumental effort
of religious organizations in 2015 elections, is now afraid, engrossed
and hypnotized with fear of using these religious institutions against
it in 2019 if fails to perform to expectations.
“We vehemently condemned any attempt by the state government through
its legislative arm to promulgate a laws regulating preaching and religious activities in the state,” he said.
He pointed out that the so called bill is an infringement on the fundamental
rights of citizens, hence it is unconstitutional.
“The application of such bill is a demonstration of the fact that the present regime is ungrateful to the efforts and roles played by religious clerics in creating awareness on the need for change mantra which metamorphosed into the success and coming into the present government,” he said.
He posited, if the lawmakers in Kaduna State House of Assembly pass this bill into law, they have not justified the confidence reposed in them by their electorates.
“Since we are in democratic era, a referendum must be conducted with
the view of sampling and knowing the position of the people.
“We called on the attention of the legislatures not to succumb to whips and caprices of the executive at the expense of the masses.” He further said.
He stressed, a process of recall shall be instituted against any of the lawmakers that supports the passage of this obnoxious bill into law.
“We are in support of any law that will bring sanity in the state provided opinions and constructive criticisms by religious leaders are considered and respected.”
He then called on the State House of Assembly members to pause any
further consideration of the unpopular bill in its entirety and go for public hearing at their various constituencies across the state before taking any further steps.
