Religious bill: Catholic Archbishop warns Governor El-Rufai

– The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna Archdiocese, Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, 

warned Governor Nasir El-Rufai against introducing the religious bill – According to 

him, the bill is capable of causing chaos in the state 

– Archbishop Ndagoso advised the governor to regulate religious activities according to existing laws

The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna Archdiocese, Most Reverend Dr Matthew Man-

Oso Ndagoso, has warned Governor Nasir El-Rufai against introducing the religious 

bill. The Archbishop advised the governor to regulate religious activities according to 

existing laws instead of establishing another law that is unnecessary and is capable 

of causing chaos in the state. Leadership reports that Ndagoso stated this while 

briefing journalists shortly after celebrating the Easter Monday with students of the 

Borstal Training institution in Kaduna. He stressed that pastors or imams who preach 

hatred or engages in any hate speech should be made to face the full wrath of the 

law.

“The bill will create confusion and disharmony, therefore, our stand is that our 

existing laws are enough to deal with people who uses religion, tribe or sentiments to 

create confusion, discord and make people to commit violence against each other. 

“Those who use religion to cause violence should be treated as a common criminal 

not as a religious leader because the two major religion does not encourage 

violence,” he said. Addressing students, who are undergoing rehabilitation at the 

training institution, Archbishop Ndagoso called on them not to be discouraged with 

the present situation but to look up to God. “No matter your situation, God loves and 

cares for you, no matter how bad we think we are, God does not and will not write us 

off. “Just forget your past, turn over a new leaf and become a good citizen, God is 

always ready to accept you inspite of your shortcomings,” he said. A few days ago, 

popular Nigerian cleric Dr Chris Okafor also warned Governor El-Rufai that he has 

about eight more days to retract his impending religious bill or face the wrath of God. 

According to the pastor, the bill is potentially anti-christian and might be a part of a 

bigger plan to Islamize Nigeria. Meanwhile, Malam Uba Sani, the governor’s special 

adviser on poltical matters, said that the controversial religious bill was not meant to 

foster any religious tension. “Like we have severally explained, in further amending 

this law, the government is only seeking to discourage the use of religion for violence 

and division. Kindly note however, that this law does not in any way abridge, 

threaten or violate the freedom of worship as enshrined in the constitution of our 

great country,” he said.