The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Monday warned that the executive bill submitted by Governor Nasir el-Rufai to Kaduna State House of Assembly, which seeks to curtail the right of Christians to preach and evangelise, is telling the Christians not to practise their religion with the potential to set Kaduna State on fire if not withdrawn.
The Christian association also expressed fears that the obnoxious bill which directly offends the Christian faith, will trigger another bout of violent religious attacks to be unleashed on Christians if the bill is passed into law, with the high potential of breaking the fragile peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna about the bill, Chairman of Kaduna State chapter of PFN, Reverend Professor Femi Ehinmidu alongside representatives from over 1,000 churches in Kaduna metropolis and its environs said, the body will do everything legal to ensure that the rights of Christians are not curtailed.
According to PFN, “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. It is unimaginable to see our erudite governor exhuming a military era edict which came into being when the Constitution was suspended, it smacks of mischief.
“Now with this bill that he has sent to the House, he is opening up new vistas of hostilities between Christians and Muslims when biased implementation is carried out if the bill is passed into law.
“Furthermore, the bill is obnoxious and directly offends our faith. The Bible commands us in Mark 16 vs 15; it said, ‘go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature’ and 1 Thessalonians 5 vs 29 also said, ‘pray without ceasing.’ This is the lifewire of the Christian religion.”
Reverend Ehinmidu said therefore that “taking away the rights to preach and evangelise is telling Christians not to practise their religion as commanded by the Lord Jesus.
“There are many laws against trampling on the rights of other people. Let those laws take full course, the bill should not take Kaduna State backward. We oppose the bill in its entirety and we shall do everything legal to ensure that our rights as Christians are not curtailed.
“We call on well-meaning Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to prevail on the government of Kaduna State to withdraw that vexing bill before Kaduna State House of Assembly. The bill has a latent explosive heat that can set Kaduna State on fire if not tamed.”
-Leadership
