Kaduna religious bill: Only irresponsible govts go against religion — El-Rufai

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has warned governments against taking decisions contrary to religious believe.

In his remarks at the 11th Annual Ramadan Lecture on the topic, “Who is a Muslim” organized by Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, and Voice of Nigeria, VON, on Saturday in Kaduna, the governor said: “Any government that its decision is contrary to religion, that government is in trouble.”

The governor was referring to the controversy generated by the state’s religious bill that has attracted negative responses from both Christian and Muslim scholars in the State.

The governor, who was represented by Namadi Musa, his Special Adviser on Islamic Religion, called for the prayers of the people of the state and Nigeria as the state goes forward to introduce a religious bill in the state.

“We need your prayers,as we move forward to introduce religious bill in the state.

“God knows we are doing it with clear intention. As human, we are also bound to make mistake,” he added.

He appealed to the Minister of Information and Culture to reverse the decision of relocating the upcoming 12th lecture to Abuja.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, represented by Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, the Director General of NTA, announced the relocation of the subsequent 12th Annual Lecture to Abuja.

“I wish to announce to this gathering that we have decided to relocate the 12th Annual Ramadan Lecture to Abuja.

He commended all those who supported the previous lectures up till the 11th lecture that has been conducted in Kaduna.

Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu, Emir of Jama’a, Shiekh Muhammad Bin Uthman and representative of the Shehu Idris, Emir of Zazzau, were among dignitaries who attended the Lecture.

Mansur Liman, DG FRCN, and Osita Okechukwu, DG VON, were among those dignitaries who were notably absent.