Kebbi govt warns clerics against inciting sermons

The Kebbi State government has cautioned religious leaders in the state against delivering sermons capable of inciting the public against the administration of Governor Nasir Idris.

The government said the present administration has made notable contributions to the development of Islam and religious institutions in the state, stressing that claims suggesting otherwise were misleading and a deliberate attempt to distort facts and provoke public resentment.
The Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Muhammad Sani Aliyu issued the warning during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi.

Aliyu urged religious leaders to remain focused on their primary responsibility of providing spiritual guidance to the public rather than allowing themselves to be drawn into political disputes that could mislead followers.

He was reacting to recent criticisms by an Islamic preacher, Bashir Jega, who reportedly claimed that the current administration had done little to support religious activities in the state.

The commissioner described the remarks as inaccurate, insisting that the government had taken significant steps to strengthen religious institutions and promote Islamic affairs.

According to him, one of the major achievements of the administration was the creation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which he described as a milestone that fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of the people of Kebbi State for more than 25 years.

Aliyu noted that several previous administrations had been unable to establish the ministry to coordinate religious activities until the current government demonstrated the political will to actualise it.

He added that the government had also strengthened key religious institutions in the state, including the Zakat and Waqf Board, the Preaching Board and the Hisbah Commission, as part of efforts to promote religious harmony and support Islamic development.