Christian Council opposes ₦50,000 fine for bus preaching, seeks Tinubu’s intervention

Christian Council opposes ₦50,000 fine for bus preaching, seeks Tinubu’s intervention

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly (NASS) to review contentious provisions of the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that parts of the legislation could infringe on constitutional rights and impose additional hardship on struggling Nigerians.

The appeal follows the passage of the FRSC Amendment Bill, 2026 by the Senate, which proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone found hawking, trading or preaching in commercial buses, as well as stiffer penalties for several traffic-related offences. The bill is awaiting presidential assent before it can become law.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, the council said it fully supports efforts aimed at improving road safety and reducing accidents on Nigerian roads but insisted that such measures must respect the constitutional rights of citizens.

According to the CCN, the inclusion of preaching alongside hawking and trading among prohibited activities raises legitimate concerns over the constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

The council argued that while government has a responsibility to ensure road safety, legislation should not inadvertently criminalise peaceful religious activities carried out without disrupting drivers or passengers.

It noted that commercial buses have, for decades, served as platforms where Christians share brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement and prayers with willing listeners, adding that any attempt to prohibit such activities deserves careful constitutional scrutiny.

According to the council, restricting peaceful evangelism without adequate consultation could create the perception that Christian religious expression is being unfairly targeted.

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The CCN further expressed concern over the proposed ₦50,000 fine for hawkers, describing the penalty as harsh and insensitive to the prevailing economic realities facing millions of Nigerians.

It argued that many citizens engage in hawking and informal trading due to unemployment, poverty, inflation and the rising cost of living, stressing that poverty should not be criminalised through heavy financial penalties.

Rather than relying on punitive sanctions, the council urged the Federal Government to address the root causes of street trading by creating more employment opportunities, expanding social intervention programmes and implementing sustainable economic empowerment initiatives.

It also recommended the establishment of designated trading areas and age-appropriate restrictions where necessary instead of imposing blanket penalties on vulnerable Nigerians trying to earn a living.

The Christian body appealed to President Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Federal Road Safety Corps to embark on wider consultations before the bill is signed into law.

It said the consultation process should include faith-based organisations, civil society organisations, transport unions, road safety experts, constitutional lawyers and representatives of vulnerable groups to ensure that the final legislation adequately balances public safety with fundamental human rights.

According to the CCN, Nigeria needs laws that are firm enough to protect lives on the highways but compassionate enough to avoid placing unbearable burdens on citizens already grappling with severe economic hardship.

The council maintained that legislation should promote national unity, protect fundamental freedoms and avoid creating perceptions of discrimination against any religious group.

The latest appeal comes amid growing public debate over the proposed amendment. While the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has endorsed the provision seeking to prohibit preaching in commercial buses, arguing that it would reduce driver distraction and help curb road accidents, several Christian organisations have urged the government to review the proposal to safeguard constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms.

Legal analysts say the controversy surrounding the bill underscores the need for lawmakers to strike a careful balance between strengthening road safety regulations and protecting citizens’ fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

With the legislation now awaiting presidential assent, stakeholders across religious, legal and civil society circles are expected to intensify advocacy over the bill before a final decision is taken by the Presidency.

Christian Council opposes ₦50,000 fine for bus preaching, seeks Tinubu’s intervention