Senate Defends Bus Preaching Bill Amid Public Outcry

preaching, hawking in commercial buses

Senate Defends Bus Preaching Bill Amid Public Outcry

The Senate has moved to calm public anger over the proposed N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking and trading inside commercial vehicles, clarifying that the provision is not a new ban on religious activities but a long-standing regulation that has been part of Nigerian law since 2007.

The clarification comes amid widespread outrage following the passage of the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes stiffer penalties for various traffic offences. The legislation sparked criticism from Christian bodies, opposition parties, civil society groups and members of the public, many of whom argued that criminalising bus preaching and hawking was insensitive amid rising unemployment and worsening economic hardship.

In a statement issued on Monday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that the contentious provision had been widely misrepresented, insisting that the amendment neither introduced a fresh offence nor sought to prohibit preaching in public places. He explained that pursuant to Section 10(4) of the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007 and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012, preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle are already offences that have been part of the Act before the current amendment. “The Senate has duly noticed public concerns on the purported proscription of preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle under the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, No. 22, 2007,” Bamidele said. “Entrenched as Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act, preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle are not new provisions in our legal system. The provisions have been part of the Act as far back as 2007. However, it is now listed as Item 49, Second Schedule of the Act.”

The Senate stressed that the legislation was strictly targeted at promoting road safety and protecting commuters from distractions that could endanger lives. “The bill, therefore, does not outlaw preaching on the streets as some interests have claimed in different fora. It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space,” Bamidele added. The upper chamber maintained that the provision has existed since the FRSC Establishment Act was enacted in 2007 and was not newly introduced by the current National Assembly. The Senate noted that the objective of the legislation is to prevent distractions capable of endangering passengers, drivers and other road users, and has nothing to do with restricting constitutionally guaranteed freedom of worship or freedom of expression.

READ ALSO:

The Senate also dismissed reports linking the amendment to Bamidele, saying the legislation originated from the House of Representatives and was transmitted to the Senate for concurrence in line with constitutional requirements. “The bill is not an initiative of the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. Rather, it is a concurrence bill first amended by the House of Representatives,” the statement read. The Senate noted that the amendment process is still ongoing and encouraged stakeholders with concerns to engage the appropriate legislative channels before the process is finalised. “In the spirit of democracy, stakeholders can channel their concerns to the appropriate institutions before the completion of the process,” Bamidele stated.

The clarification comes days after the Senate passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to strengthen road safety enforcement through stiffer penalties for traffic-related offences. The revised schedule of offences contains 52 traffic violations and their corresponding penalties, with lawmakers saying the amendments are intended to improve compliance with traffic regulations, strengthen the FRSC’s enforcement powers and enhance road safety nationwide. Apart from prescribing a N50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles, the bill proposes a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment or both for motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials conducting roadside breath tests based on reasonable suspicion. It also raises the penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs from N5,000 to N100,000, with offenders facing up to two years’ imprisonment or both. Similarly, the proposed legislation increases the penalty for disobeying traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings and other traffic control devices to N100,000, while speed limit violations and reckless driving would also attract stiffer sanctions, including fines of N100,000 and, in some cases, custodial sentences.

READ ALSO:

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-West region, has rejected the proposed ban on preaching inside commercial vehicles, warning that the provision could restrict citizens’ constitutional rights. In a statement issued by the South-West Chairman of CAN, Bishop Barnabas Akinsanya, the Christian body said the proposed legislation required careful review to ensure it did not infringe on citizens’ fundamental freedoms. “We acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to improving road safety and reducing avoidable road crashes across Nigeria. We support every genuine effort aimed at protecting lives and promoting responsible road use,” the statement read. “However, we respectfully express serious concerns regarding aspects of the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, particularly the provision prescribing sanctions for preaching in commercial buses and the outright prohibition of hawking in such vehicles.” CAN said prohibiting religious preaching without evidence that it poses a direct threat to public safety could create the impression of an unnecessary restriction on religious freedom and lead to avoidable public tension. The body also argued that many Nigerians depend on legitimate informal trading for their daily survival, and rather than adopting measures that may further worsen economic hardship, government should prioritise policies that create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, improve public transportation, strengthen security, and enhance the welfare of citizens. “We therefore respectfully appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withhold assent to the Bill in its present form and encourage further consultation with relevant stakeholders, including religious bodies, civil society organisations, legal experts, transport unions, and road safety professionals,” CAN stated.

In a contrasting position, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has defended the bill, identifying CAN as the sponsor of those who preach inside commercial buses. The Islamic human rights organization said CAN’s rejection of the bill is an admission of guilt and urged the Senate to forge ahead with the legislation. MURIC argued that one person’s rights should not rank over and above the rights of all other passengers, including the driver who must be allowed to concentrate. “We support the FRSC bill for two main reasons. Bus preaching distracts drivers thereby leading to accidents with the attendant deaths and injuries. Secondly, bus preaching constitutes conduct likely to cause breach of public peace,” MURIC Executive Director Professor Ishaq Akintola said. “Our lawmakers need to urgently attend to the FRSC bill in view of the high proliferation of road crashes in the country.”

Before Monday’s clarification, opposition parties had condemned the proposed penalties, arguing that criminalising hawking and preaching inside commercial vehicles was misplaced at a time many Nigerians were grappling with soaring inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power. Party officials described the proposal as insensitive, urging the National Assembly to prioritise legislation that addresses the country’s economic challenges rather than imposing harsher penalties on struggling citizens. The bill is currently awaiting presidential assent, and the Senate has encouraged stakeholders with concerns to engage the appropriate legislative channels before the process is finalised.