Christian organisations have opposed the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps Act seeking to criminalise preaching in commercial vehicles, warning that the legislation could infringe on citizens' constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression.
The groups, including the Christian Council of Nigeria and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, also urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the bill, insisting that evangelism should not be treated as a criminal offence.
The Senate had on Thursday passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes a N50,000 fine, six months' imprisonment, or both, for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles. The bill also awaits presidential assent.
The proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening road safety enforcement and reducing activities considered capable of distracting commercial drivers.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Rev. Evans Onyemara, the Christian Council of Nigeria said although it supported efforts to improve road safety, the inclusion of preaching among prohibited activities raised constitutional concerns.
"The Christian Council of Nigeria fully supports every genuine effort aimed at improving road safety and reducing accidents on our highways. Respect for traffic regulations saves lives and should be encouraged," the statement read.
It added, "While the objective may be to reduce distractions, the inclusion of preaching alongside hawking and trading raises legitimate concerns about freedom of religion and expression as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
The council argued that commercial buses had, for decades, served as platforms where Christians shared brief messages of hope, repentance and encouragement with willing passengers, stressing that any restriction on such activities should be subjected to wider constitutional scrutiny.
The CCN also faulted the proposed N50,000 fine for hawkers, saying the measure targeted the consequences of poverty rather than addressing its root causes.
According to the council, many Nigerians engage in hawking because of rising unemployment and economic hardship, adding that poverty should not be criminalised.
It urged the Federal Government to explore humane alternatives, including designated trading areas, economic empowerment initiatives and broader public consultations before the bill becomes law.
Similarly, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches called on Tinubu to decline assent to the proposed legislation, describing the provision criminalising preaching in commercial vehicles as insensitive.
In a statement issued by its President, Israel Akinadewo, the association maintained that preaching remained a constitutionally protected exercise of the rights to freedom of religion and expression.
"OAIC considers it insensitive and inappropriate to equate the peaceful proclamation of the Gospel with commercial hawking. While recognising the need to ensure safety and order on Nigerian roads, preaching should not be treated as a criminal or commercial activity," Akinadewo said.
He noted that evangelism in commercial buses had long served as a legitimate avenue for spreading messages of faith, hope, morality and peaceful coexistence.
The association called on the National Assembly to review the contentious provisions of the bill through consultations with religious organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders.
It, however, reaffirmed its commitment to responsible religious conduct and urged preachers to carry out evangelism in ways that respect public order while preserving the constitutional freedoms guaranteed to Nigerians.
0 Comments