By Daniel Atori
Following the reactions that have trailed the controversial Hisbah bill in Niger state, the Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) has on Monday called on Governor Umaru Bago not to yield by assenting to the bill saying “it will distort the existing coexistence and peace between the two major religions in the state”.
The OAIC, a Bloc in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State while highlighting the likely danger in assenting to the bill, declared in a statement jointly signed by the State Chairman, Pastor Daniel Eberendu and the Secretary Special Apostle Sunday Ojimi, that it stands with the State CAN to reject the controversial Hisbah bill by the State House of Assembly.
According to them “we join other well meaning Nigerlites both Christians and Muslims alike to appeal to the Farmer Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago not to allow the peaceful coexistence among Christians and Muslims for decades to be distorted by religious bigots.
“The Bill will distort the long peaceful coexistence among the two prominent religions and it will no doubt affects freedom of business and worsen economic backwardness presently experienced in the state”.
While reminding the Governor of his visits which were widely commended to various churches and Christian gatherings, they said “while your visits signify the show of togetherness and unity; please, do not derail by signing the bill into Law”.
The statement then wondered why such a bill is coming at a time of robust relationship between the two religious bodies.
“We should avoid anything that will sow the seeds of discord among us”, they appealed.
