KADUNA, Nigeria — Street evangelists would be fined and “offensive” preaching at church services would send pastors to jail for up to two years under legislation proposed by the Muslim governor of Kaduna state, church leaders said.
As discussion of the legislation heated up, Christian leaders voiced alarm over the bill Gov. Nasir El-Rufai sent to the state assembly October 2015, which also would require clergy to obtain a preaching permit renewable every year. Church leaders said the Religious Regulation Bill, which would apply to all religions including Islam, is a ploy to stifle and persecute Christians under the guise of quelling extremists and charlatans.
“The proposed law is in contravention of the Nigerian Constitution and shall inhibit the preaching of the gospel when it becomes operational,” said George Dodo, chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria and Roman Catholic bishop of Zaria Diocese. “We have reservations over the bill and believe that it will curtail religious freedom of the people, particularly Christians in Kaduna state.”
The bill stipulates that clergy would lose preaching rights if the state government or its agencies consider any of their words to be offensive. Preachers found guilty also could be fined $1,000.
The bill also forbids the playing of evangelistic tapes and CDs in public places. In recent round-table discussions, Christian leaders said the legislation is unnecessary as all churches or ministries in Nigeria are already registered by the federal Corporate Affairs Commission.
(MS)
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