Fireworks over Hisbah law in Niger, as CAN kicks against

•Urges Gov Bago not to sign bill into law, warns of consequences

From John Adams Minna

Barely two weeks after the passage of the controversial Hisbah law by the Niger State House of Assembly, which is still awaiting assent by the state governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter has warned of the consequences of signing the bill into law in a secular state like Niger.

The Christian body, in a letter to the governor title, ‘The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State say no to Hisbah law,’ and signed by the Chairman, Most Reverend Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, yesterday, told the governor that the Hisbah law if signed into law, would easily create division among the people he governs.

While questioning the motives behind the Hisbah law in a peaceful secular state like Niger, the CAN chairman asked: “Why Hisbah law in Niger? What is the aim? Of what benefit is it to our people economically and socially? Do they (lawmakers) realise that Christians will not be subjected to Hisbah law?”

He condemned the passage of the bill by the state house of assembly without looking at the consequences, stressing that, “As a matter of urgency, we call on the Speaker and other members of the State House of Assembly to drop the Bill except their aim is to incite and or anger a major group of people.”

Reverend Dauwa described as a naked lies and unfortunate, the claim by Chairman of the Joint House Committees on Religious Affairs, Judiciary and Legal Matters, Isah Muhammad Etsugaie, representing Agaie constituency, that the Bill was subjected to public hearing involving critical stakeholders, saying that no such public hearing took place and if at all it took place, it was not to the knowledge of CAN. “It is so unfortunate that the Chairman of the joint committee, Isah Muhammad Etsugaie, after presenting the report of the House Committees on Religious Affairs and Judiciary and Legal Matters at the plenary of the House in Minna claimed they conducted a public hearing involving critical stakeholders.

“For the records, we, (CAN) as a Body, were neither invited nor notified of such public hearing meant for critical stakeholders, which obviously, further indicates the segregation of Christians in sensitive matters in the state.” He, therefore, urged the governor that the Niger State Hisbah Directorates Bill sponsored by the member representing Chanchaga Constituency, Mohammed Abubakar is a controversial Bill that should not be assented to by the executive arm of government.

The CAN chairman reminded the governor that Niger State is not predominantly a Muslim State, “therefore we should look beyond religious divides and focus on our unity rather than what can easily divide us as a people. “I want to call on our dear Farmer Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, not to sign and pass the Bill into law in the interest of peace and unity of the state. “And for the members of the State House of Assembly, I urge you to think of better things to do for our people and not to sit and move controversial laws that will cause unrest in the state.

“By now, we should be thinking of what can strengthen our relationship and unity and not to use religion as a tool of division.”

He further reminded the governor that during the elections, Christians voted for him without religious bias and did not vote for him to be given a controversial law that will cause disaffection among the people.

While further questioning the benefits of the Hisbah law to the people being ravaged by insecurity, he maintained that since the advent of Shari’a law in the state in 2001, “Our dear State has suffered economically with businesses packed up, investors and various businessmen and businesswomen relocated to other states where they are thriving and those states have developed economically.

“Niger State is religiously a mixed state, and such law can only further buttress the fact that truly Christians are marginalised and the Bill can only be perceived as a tool of persecution against our people.

“We understand that Hisbah in Nigeria refers to state-backed religious police, primarily in Northern Nigeria, tasked with enforcing Sharia law and monitoring compliance with Islamic norms.

“We have the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Vigilante Groups and other recognised groups with constitutional powers to operate. Our leaders and lawmakers should be sensitive and think of what can add value to our state and the people.”

He, therefore, called on well-meaning people of the state, irrespective of their religion, tribe or political affiliation to add their voices so that the Bill does not become a law.

He added that from all intent and purposes, it can only create friction in the daily lives of non Muslims in the state.