Christian Council Asks FG To Review FRSC Bill Criminalising Preaching In Buses

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to review controversial provisions of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that aspects of the proposed legislation could infringe on Nigerians’ constitutional rights and worsen the plight of vulnerable citizens.

The council expressed particular concern over a provision in the bill prescribing a ₦50,000 fine for hawking, trading or preaching in commercial buses, arguing that placing Christian evangelism in the same category as commercial activities raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, the Christian body said although it supports measures aimed at improving road safety, the legislation should not come at the expense of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

“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 said.

The Senate recently passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes a ₦100,000 fine for motorists who violate traffic lights and a ₦50,000 fine for anyone caught hawking, trading or preaching in commercial buses.

Reacting to the development, the CCN said it was “deeply concerned” about the inclusion of preaching among the prohibited activities.

“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 decades served as spaces where Christians share brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement and prayers with willing passengers, insisting that any attempt to restrict such activities must undergo careful constitutional scrutiny.

“For decades, commercial buses have served as places where many Christians have shared brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement, and prayer with willing listeners. Any law that seeks to restrict such peaceful religious expression must be carefully scrutinized to ensure that it does not erode constitutional freedoms or create the perception that Christian evangelism is being unfairly restricted,” the statement added.

The council also faulted the proposed ₦50,000 fine for hawkers, saying the measure addresses the symptoms of Nigeria’s economic crisis rather than its root causes.

According to the CCN, many Nigerians engage in street and mobile trading because of widespread poverty, unemployment and rising economic hardship, and should not be punished for trying to survive.

“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 adopt more humane alternatives, including the creation of designated trading areas, age-appropriate restrictions where necessary and sustainable economic empowerment programmes instead of punitive sanctions.

The Christian body appealed to President Tinubu, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to subject the bill to broader public consultation before it is signed into law.

“The Christian Council of Nigeria therefore appeals to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly, and relevant stakeholders to engage in wider consultation before the proposed amendment becomes law,” Onyemara said.

According to the council, the consultation process should include faith-based organisations, civil society groups, transport unions, road safety experts and representatives of vulnerable communities to ensure that the final legislation reflects both public safety concerns and constitutional safeguards.

“Nigeria needs laws that are firm yet compassionate, laws that protect lives without placing unbearable burdens on citizens who are already struggling to survive,” the statement added.

The CCN maintained that legislation should strengthen national unity rather than create unnecessary divisions or perceptions of discrimination.

“The Christian Council of Nigeria believes that legislation should unite rather than divide, protect rather than alienate, and promote both public safety and fundamental human rights. As the moral voice of the nation, the Council remains committed to supporting policies that uphold justice, compassion, religious liberty, and the dignity of every Nigerian,” the statement concluded.