El-Rufai's religious preaching bill will not stand – SCM

The Student Christian Movement of Nigeria has described the religious preaching bill by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as brash, stating that it would not stand as many groups would challenge its constitutionality in court.

The movement noted that the Nigerian Constitution guaranteed religious freedom, noting that El-Rufai cannot resolve the security and religious challenges in his state through fiat.

The SCM National President, Rev. Eric Ighalo said this in response to questions from journalists during a news conference on the 75th anniversary celebration of the association on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said, 'The religious preaching bill by the Kaduna State governor is brash, it will not stand; many cases will be filed against it in court to challenge it. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the governor cannot take it away with this bill.'

The Chairman, National Organising Committee for the SCM celebration anniversary, Rev. Solomon Adegbolagun, counseled the governor to call for a stakeholders' meeting where contentious religious issues could be discussed and resolved.

He observed that Kaduna State is battling with various security issues and militant religious groups, but added that religious harmony cannot be achieved through the religious preaching bill.

'Let's be honest, the governor has a problem with all manner of things happening in the state, but it can't be resolved with fiat. What he needs to do is to call a stakeholders meeting where they would say this is how to solve the problem,' Adegbolagun stated.

As part of activities to mark 75 years of service to the nation by the SCM, the cleric said that  a gala nite would hold on Friday in Abuja to be hosted by the Anglican Primate, Rev. Nicholas Okoh and attended by Vice-President Yemi Osibajo.

Adegbolagun also announced that many prominent Nigerians would be presented with awards, adding that the SCM would also mobilize support for completion of its various empowerment and youth skills centres through a N1 billion endowment fund. Punch