The National Christian Elders’ Forum has joined in the campaign against the proposed Kaduna State Religious Bill, which seeks to regulate preaching activities of religious groups in the state.
The Christian Elders made their position known on Friday at the National Christian Center in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The group, at a media briefing, asked the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to withdraw the bill from the State Assembly.
They also decried recent cases of adoption and forceful marriage of underage children in the country as well as the manner with which federal lawmakers killed the Gender Parity Bill.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State has also met with the State Governor over the proposed Religious Preaching Regulatory Bill that was presented before the State House of Assembly for passage.
The clergymen, led by their Chairman, Bishop George Dodo, met with the Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Bala Bantex, on Wednesday in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria.
The Deputy Governor explained that the Religious Preaching Bill was only meant to curb religious extremism and hate speeches that could trigger religious violence in the state.
He informed the Christian delegation that government has a duty to ensure that religious violence no longer threatens the relative peace being enjoyed by citizens of the state.
