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The Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, Niger State chapter, has thrown its weight behind the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in rejecting the proposed Hisbah Bill currently before the Niger State House of Assembly.
In a statement signed by its State Chairman, Rev. Daniel Tsado, the council described the bill as controversial and appealed to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago not to allow any policy capable of disrupting the longstanding peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the state.
Rev. Tsado, who is also the Vicar of Gbaiko Anglican Church in Bosso Local Government Area, said Niger State has enjoyed decades of religious harmony and warned that the introduction of the Hisbah Bill could create unnecessary tension and division among residents.
“We join other well-meaning Nigerlites in appealing to the Farmer Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, not to allow the peaceful coexistence among Christians and Muslims to be distorted by religious extremism,” the statement read.
CCN said it fully supports CAN’s position against the proposed legislation, stressing that the bill could negatively affect freedom of business and worsen the economic challenges currently facing the state.
According to the council, churches in the state least expected such a bill under the administration of Governor Bago, who has previously demonstrated gestures of unity by visiting churches across the state.
“Mr Governor, please do not derail from the path of unity and peaceful coexistence,” the council urged.
The Christian body further questioned the timing of the bill, noting that it comes at a period of what it described as a robust relationship between the two dominant religions in the state.
“As a bloc, we wonder why such a bill is being introduced at a time when there is strong interfaith harmony. We must avoid anything that will sow seeds of discord among us,” the statement added.
