Governor Muhammed Umar Bago of Niger State has been advised to respect the popular demand of Niger lites and the legislative wisdom of the House of Assembly to assent to the Hisbah law without delay.
The Ameer Muslim Students Society Of Nigeria MSSN, Niger state chapter, Mahmud Lawal Murshid gave the advice while addressing a joint Press Conference organized by the Joint Islamic Organizations in Niger state, to address the state chapter of CAN concerns.
Mahmud Lawal Murshid stressed the need for religious leaders and organizations to avoid rhetoric that may inflame passions or create fear among citizens while acknowledging that dialogue, mutual respect and responsible communication remain essential for peace, progress development of Niger state.
He state unequivocally that CAN has no jurisdiction regarding the Hisbah law, Hisbah is a faith-based internal mechanism for the Muslim community and it’s implementation does not infringe upon the rights of others
On claims by CAN that the Hisbah law will lead to persecution, harassment or suppression of Christians, he described the claim as speculative and unfounded while attributing the claim that CAN was excluded from public hearing as incorrect, stressing that CAN was invited as a stakeholder.
Mahmud Lawal Murshid who went straight away to put the record straight said of the eight Emirate Councils in Niger state, they were all led by Muslims since inception, while twenty five out of the twenty seven members of State House of Assembly are Muslims and twenty four out of twenty five Chairmen of Local Government Councils are Muslims, in addition to about 90% of Niger lites are Muslims.
He however explained that the Joint Islamic Organizations remain fully committed to peaceful coexistence, constitutional order, and interfaith harmony, and called on Nigerians to place unity and development above divisive narratives.
COV Aliyu Lawal.
