According to a report by The Punch on Sunday, July 19, 2026, Christian organizations have voiced strong opposition to a new legislative proposal that seeks to criminalize preaching within commercial vehicles.
The controversial provision is part of the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which recently passed the Senate and currently awaits presidential assent.
The bill proposes a N50,000 fine for anyone caught hawking, trading, or preaching on board public transport.
The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) have both pushed back, warning that the move risks infringing upon constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of religion and expression.
Rev. Evans Onyemara, General Secretary of the CCN, stated that while the body supports road safety, placing evangelism in the same category as commercial activities is fundamentally flawed.
“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,” Onyemara asserted.
The groups further criticized the bill for its punitive stance toward hawkers, arguing that the fine fails to address the economic realities of poverty and unemployment.
OAIC President Israel Akinadewo called on President Bola Tinubu to withhold his signature, describing the proposed law as “insensitive and inappropriate.”
“The Association respectfully calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to assent to the Bill in its present form,” Akinadewo added, urging the government to prioritize broader public consultation.
As the bill awaits final action, religious leaders are calling for more humane policy alternatives that prioritize economic empowerment and constitutional protections over blanket criminalization.
The debate now centers on whether the government will reconsider the legislation to balance road safety with the protection of fundamental human rights……See More
Leave a Reply