St. Philip’s Catholic Church, OzubuluThe Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Civil Society Organisations (NGOs) and Development Partners, Mr. Peter Akpatason, has allayed the fears that the NGO regulation bill was aimed at muzzling religious and ethnic organisations.
Akpatason, who spoke with reporters yesterday in Abuja, also faulted the notion that the proposed legislation would infringe on the rights of expression guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He expressed surprise that those opposed to the initiative have chosen to whip up ethnic and religious sentiments to achieve their goal.
According to him: “The bill clearly provides that anything that has to do with religious organisations or ethnic leaning is excluded from the bill. It is clearly written there. We are not going to join mischief-makers in peddling rumours or falsehood.
Reps allay fears NGO bill targeted at religious bodies, ethnic organisations
