The Northern Nigeria Union of Seventh Day Adventist Church says Kaduna State Government’s move to amend the law on religious preaching in the state is unpopular and should be stopped.
In a press release on Wednesday in Abuja, the religious body said it was deeply concerned as the move would have negative implications on its membership and its role.
The body, in the release signed by its President, Pastor (Dr.) Francis Daria, said it had also observed that the proposed law was “against the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution as amended’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Kaduna State Government had been planning towards amending the existing law in order to regulate religious preaching activities in the state.
“While sharing the state government’s concern on the devastating consequences of violent religious crisis leading to loss of lives and property, which may be connected to some religious leaders’ activities, we make bold to say Christianity preaches peace.
“But having studied the provisions of the Executive Bill for a Law to substitute the Kaduna State Religious Preaching Law, 1984, transmitted to the Kaduna State House of Assembly by Governor Nasir el-Rufai, we believe there will be negative implications.
“These negative implications will affect our membership and our role as a worldwide church with membership in over 200 countries and territories recognised by the United Nations,’’ the Northern Nigeria Union of SDA Church said.
It said while Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides for freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the proposed law could hinder the propagation of the gospel of salvation.
“The propagation of the gospel of salvation to the world is the main reason for our existence, as contained in the Holy Bible’s books of Matthew and Revelation which encapsulates our Mission Statement.
“The Bill seeks to stop the unauthorised playing or circulation of all cassettes, CDs/DVDs, flash drives or any other communication gadgets containing religious recordings.
“This is clearly forbidding public preaching and evangelistic activities, and the Seventh Day Adventist Church is not in support of this,’’ the Northern Nigeria Union of SDA Church said.
It pointed out also that by providing for the licensing of preachers by two voluntary organisations, the Bill would “infringe on the licensing role of the Church which normally licenses clergymen based on its doctrines’’.
The Northern Nigeria Union of SDA Church also argued that there could be no guarantee of fairness in the proposed licensing of religious preachers.
“This has an inherent capacity to breed disunity, which conflicts with the intent of the Law.’’
It also noted that during military rule even, religious activities were never curtailed as was being proposed.
“As a democratically-elected government, we expect respect for our fundamental human rights as guaranteed by the Constitution, and not the fear of discrimination and repression that will follow if the Bill becomes law.’’
The Northern Nigeria Union of SDA Church then appealed to members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly to “use their good judgment to consider the Bill appropriately and allow justice take its place’’.
It equally urged Gov. el-Rufai to withdraw the “unpopular bill’’ and consult widely while seeking other avenues for the state’s good governance in peace, progress and unity.(NAN)