At a meeting with members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Mr. Ambode warned that the government not tolerate hate messages and their preachers. The governor who was represented by the state's commissioner for home affairs, Dr. Abdulhakeem Abdullateef, noted that such hate messages were capable off endangering people's freedom.
He said “Henceforth, we’ll start to monitor mosques and churches and ensure that clerics do not engage in hate preaching.
“Our constitution in Nigeria has recognised the freedom and rights of every citizen to express himself or herself in a way he or she believes. The right to freedom of religion, conscience and the right to express it publicly, individually or in community with others, to express to observe, to practice and propagate it.
“Section 42 of the constitution goes further to say nobody on account of expressing himself should be subjected to any form of discrimination. So, if we are talking about peace, peaceful co-existence, then tolerance is key to all of us.
“Let it be known to residents that henceforth, Lagos government in collaboration with Nigeria Inter- Religious Council (NIREC), will not tolerate hate preachers. These are the people who do not preach their religion but continue to spread mischief about people of other religions. We will not tolerate religious intolerance.
“This is the time for advocacy, let everybody realize that you have the right and freedom to practice your religion but you will be stopped from practicing that religion if it creates mischief. And under Section 45 of the Nigeria Constitution, the government is empowered to put a stop to your freedom when it endangers other people’s freedom”.
The governor also indicated his administration's resolve to take the campaign to the grassroots, “We are going to ensure that this advocacy is taken to the grassroots to let people know that we are not stopping people from practicing their religion but the rights of others must be taken into consideration.
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