A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Musa Saidu Abdullahi, who sponsored the bill seeking to enforce hijab wearing for female Muslims in public places, on Tuesday, met with the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, where he explained the rationale behind the proposal.

The Christian body, however, expressed its reservations about the bill, stating that Nigeria already had laws that protect citizens from any form of discrimination, including religion.

The body, therefore urged the sponsor, and National Assembly members by extension, to focus on the more pressing issues in the country, including insecurity.

Abdullahi, who is representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency in Niger State, has sponsored the Religious Discrimination (Prohibition and Prevention) Bill 2021, which has passed first and second readings.

In his opening remarks, Abdullahi partly said, “I see a problem that has become a big challenge and we have shied away from it over the years. It is the issue of religious discrimination. So, we came up with a proposal to address religious discrimination in this country.”

The President of CAN said, “This bill is a small thing; let us make it a comprehensive thing that any right-thinking person will read and will say ‘this is moving the Nigeria nation forward.’ Please, Honourable, I am appealing to you and your colleagues to help us find a way to put an end to insecurity in this country.