Governor denies banning Shiite movement

monjola sotubo

October 20, 2016 12:35 PM

El-Rufai clarified further that it was the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) that had been banned.

Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has denied reports that his government banned the

El-Rufai clarified further that it was the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) that had specifically been banned.

The governor made the clarification via his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan who spoke to journalists in Kaduna.

According to Aruwan, the government “did not and cannot ban any religion, but it has a duty to declare unlawful any group that threatens peace and security.”

“It solemnly declared unlawful a specific group that continues to threaten public order in the state. The IMN was never a registered organization and it refused to conduct itself with full adherence to the laws of this state,” he said.

“Other groups in the Shia tradition are active in Nigeria. Like adherents of all other faiths, they are free to practice their creed without injuring the rights of others. Kaduna state has suffered and endured too many calamities, triggered by persons and groups that insist on foisting their faith or political preferences on others.

“It is a hallmark of civilization that every assertion of rights by a citizen is done with full acknowledgement of, and respect for the rights of other citizens,” he added.

ALSO READ:Kaduna Governor declares Shiite sect illegal

The Kaduna government declared the IMN an unlawful group via a gazette issued on October 7.

monjola sotubo