Christian organisations have opposed the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps Bill that seeks to make preaching in commercial vehicles a criminal offence.
The groups, including the Christian Council of Nigeria and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, cautioned that the proposed law could violate Nigerians’ constitutional rights while further worsening the hardship faced by vulnerable citizens.
Last Thursday, the Senate approved the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes a N50,000 penalty for anyone found guilty of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.
The legislation, designed to reinforce road safety enforcement and eliminate activities considered capable of distracting drivers, is now awaiting presidential approval.
If eventually signed into law, the bill will prescribe a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both, for motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests carried out on reasonable suspicion.
Responding to the proposed legislation, the CCN described the inclusion of preaching among the prohibited activities as “deeply concerned.”
Christian Council raises constitutional concerns
In a statement released on Friday and signed by its General Secretary, Rev. Evans Onyemara, the council said although it supports initiatives intended to improve road safety, such measures should not undermine constitutionally protected freedoms.
The council maintained that grouping Christian evangelism together with commercial activities raises significant constitutional and human rights 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.
“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,” Onyemara said.
According to the council, commercial buses have for many years provided opportunities for Christians to share brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement and prayers with willing passengers, stressing that any move to limit such activities should undergo thorough constitutional examination.
The council also criticised the proposed N50,000 fine for hawkers, arguing that the measure targets the consequences of the country’s economic challenges instead of addressing their underlying causes.
According to the CCN, many Nigerians resort to street and mobile trading because of widespread poverty, unemployment and increasing economic hardship, and should not be penalised for trying to earn a living.
“The Council also believes that imposing heavy fines on people engaged in hawking fails to address the deeper issues of poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians. Poverty should not be criminalised,” the statement read.
It urged the government to embrace more compassionate alternatives, including establishing designated trading areas, introducing age-appropriate restrictions where necessary and implementing sustainable economic empowerment programmes rather than relying on punitive measures.
The Christian body appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to subject the bill to wider public consultation before it receives presidential assent.
OAIC urges Tinubu to withhold assent
Meanwhile, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches urged the President to withhold assent to the proposed legislation, warning that any law capable of criminalising peaceful religious expression could amount to an unnecessary restriction on the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
The group made the appeal in a statement issued on Saturday by its President, Israel Akinadewo.
“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, the Association maintains that preaching is a constitutionally protected exercise of the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression, and should not be treated as a criminal or commercial activity,” Akinadewo said.
The association stated that preaching in commercial buses has over the years remained a recognised means of spreading messages of faith, hope, morality, repentance and peaceful coexistence across the country.
“The Association therefore respectfully calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to assent to the Bill in its present form. We also urge the National Assembly to review the relevant provisions through broad consultations with religious bodies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to ensure that public safety is promoted without undermining the constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and expression,” the statement added.
The association, however, reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and responsible religious practice, urging preachers to conduct evangelism in ways that respect public order while calling on the government to safeguard the constitutional freedoms that strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
