Christian Groups Oppose FRSC Bill, Urge Tinubu to Reject Provision Criminalising Bus Preaching

Major Christian organisations have kicked against a proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act that would make preaching in commercial vehicles an offence, describing the provision as a threat to constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and calling on President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the legislation.

The opposition follows the Senate’s passage of the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Thursday. The bill proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial buses as part of broader measures aimed at strengthening road safety enforcement and reducing distractions capable of endangering motorists and passengers.

The legislation, which also introduces tougher penalties for several traffic offences, is awaiting presidential assent before it can become law.

Beyond the restriction on preaching, the bill provides that motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion could face a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both.

Reacting to the development, the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) expressed strong reservations over the inclusion of preaching among the prohibited activities.

In a statement issued on Friday by its General Secretary, Rev. Evans Onyemara, the council said it supports efforts to improve road safety but argued that such measures must not erode the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

The council maintained that equating religious evangelism with commercial activities such as hawking and trading raises significant legal 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.

The CCN noted that for decades, commercial buses have served as platforms where Christians share brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement and prayers with willing passengers, stressing that any attempt to restrict such expressions should be subjected to rigorous constitutional scrutiny.

The council also criticised the proposed ₦50,000 penalty for hawkers, arguing that the provision fails to address the socio-economic realities driving many Nigerians into informal trading.

According to the organisation, widespread unemployment, poverty and rising living costs have forced many citizens to rely on hawking for survival, making punitive sanctions an inappropriate response.

“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.

The council urged the Federal Government to pursue more compassionate alternatives, including designated trading areas, appropriate age restrictions where necessary and sustainable economic empowerment initiatives, rather than imposing heavy penalties on struggling citizens.

It also appealed to President Tinubu, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to subject the controversial provisions of the bill to wider public engagement before any final decision is taken.

Similarly, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) urged the President to decline assent to the bill in its current form, warning that criminalising peaceful religious expression could amount to an unnecessary infringement on the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

The group’s position was contained 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 argued that preaching aboard commercial vehicles has long been an accepted avenue for spreading messages of faith, hope, repentance, morality and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

Calling for a review of the legislation, the organisation urged the government to engage religious groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to strike a balance between public safety and constitutional liberties.

“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.

Despite its objections, the OAIC reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and responsible evangelism, encouraging Christian preachers to conduct their activities in ways that respect public order while urging government authorities to safeguard the constitutional freedoms that underpin Nigeria’s democratic system.