Religious bill may cause another crisis in Kaduna – CAN warns El-Rufai

– The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna state raised the alarm over the controversial religious bill 

– The CAN branch warned Governor Nasir El-Rufai that the bill may lead to religious crisis similar to 2000 Sharia crisis

– Rev. Abua Midauda Gadzama, the chairman of the CAN in the state, said that the religious bill was a threat and would infringe the peaceful co-existence of Christians and Muslims in Kaduna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Sabon Gari local government area of Kaduna state has raised the alarm over the proposed religious bill which will regulate preaching across the state.

According to the CAN branch, if not properly handled, the bill may lead to religious crisis similar to 2000 Sharia crisis when many lives were lost and properties were destroyed.

The group called on Governor Nasir El-Rufai to withdraw the bill as it was capable of causing chaos in the state.

Recalling the Sharia 2000 crisis, the CAN noted that its escalation was as a result of the government’s refusal to listen to the voice of the people.

Daily Post reports that the group held a meeting in Zaria on Sunday, April 17, where they discussed the bill and the possible consequences of its introduction.

Rev. Abua Midauda Gadzama, the chairman of the CAN, said that any mistake would lead to a repeat of unavoidable loss of lives, adding that it would further expose Kaduna state as a place where human lives have no value.

“If that happens, God will hold us responsible,” he said.

READ ALSO: Meet the leader of Kaduna’s religious sect that may become worse than BH (photo)

Gadzama stated categorically that the religious bill was a threat and would infringe the peaceful co-existence of Christians and Muslims in the state.

“Another critical aspect of the bill is the vesting of summary jurisdiction to try violators to Sharia and customary courts but failed to specifically state who is subject to these courts.

“We can logically infer that Muslims are the ones subjected to Sharia Courts, but not so to Christians being subjected to customary courts. Therefore, it is indefensible for the Kaduna state government to seek to subject Christians to jurisdiction of customary court.

“Most various ethno-religious violence crises that took place in the past years are usually orchestrated by bigoted fellows who believe that their religion has been defamed or blasphemed and they have a duty to fight, maim, kill and destroy all in the name of defending their religion. Upon all this, no one have been prosecuted and convicted since the promulgation of the 1984 Edict,” he said.

Meanwhile, popular Lagos pastor Chris Okotie has joined those who have spoken against the controversial religious bill.

Okotie advised Governor El-Rufai to change his plan to introduce the law as it mignt cause an outrage and would adversely affect the image of the All Progressives Congress.

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