PFN Urges Tinubu To Reject FRSC Amendment Bill Over Commercial Bus Preaching Provision

PFN has urged Tinubu to reject the FRSC amendment bill over the commercial bus preaching provision.

NewsRain Nigeria reports that the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu not to sign the proposed Federal Road Safety Code Amendment Bill, saying provisions that would penalise preaching inside commercial vehicles are unnecessary, discriminatory and risk inflaming religious tensions.

Speaking after the PFN’s third-quarter National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos on Thursday, the fellowship said while it supports efforts to improve road safety, it believes the controversial provision unfairly targets Christians and diverts attention from more pressing national challenges such as insecurity, hunger and economic hardship.

The bill, as reported by PFN leaders, proposes a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both for anyone convicted of hawking, preaching or trading inside commercial vehicles.

READ ALSO: Preaching, Hawking In Buses To Attract N50k Fine

Supporters of the legislation argue that it is intended to strengthen road safety by discouraging activities capable of distracting drivers.

PFN, however, said the provision goes beyond traffic management and raises constitutional questions about freedom of religion and expression.

PFN says road safety is important, but priorities are misplaced

Addressing journalists after the NEC meeting, PFN National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, said the fellowship recognises the importance of safer roads and commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for its work.

“We do appreciate the intention of the lawmakers and of course, of Nigeria to ensure safety of our roads,” Bakare said.

“We do appreciate the work of the Federal Road Safety Corps in ensuring that our roads are safe and secure and the need to strengthen road safety procedures.”

Despite that acknowledgement, he argued that Nigeria faces more urgent problems requiring legislative attention.

“Several things are begging for attention in Nigeria. We are still talking about insecurity, we are still talking about hunger in the land, we are still talking about different aspects that are challenging both government and the people.”

Bakare questioned why preaching in commercial vehicles should be classified as a traffic offence.

“I have never been confronted with any example… that in the process of preaching in a bus, a driver was distracted and caused an accident. So I really can’t see how this matter has become a traffic offence.”

Bakare said the fellowship believes the proposed provision disproportionately affects Christians because evangelism in commercial buses is largely associated with Christian preachers.

“We have the opinion that there are other things in this law that give us an impression that it is targeted against Christians,” he said.

He also argued that other activities capable of obstructing traffic should receive similar legislative attention.

“We have cases of people who block roads on a prayer day. I would have thought that that’s one of the areas that we can consider a traffic offence.”

The PFN National Secretary said the organisation had consulted legal opinions and believes aspects of the proposal may conflict with constitutional protections guaranteeing religious freedom.

He urged President Tinubu to decline assent and instead return the bill for wider public consultation.

“If anything, send it back for the public to debate it, to look at it. Invite the relevant people who are directly affected by such laws.”

Bakare cautioned that legislation touching on religious practice should be handled carefully in a multi-faith country like Nigeria.

“We do not want to have confrontation with the government for any reason,” he said.

“But we think the government should not by any means legislate on matters that will cause more crisis and trouble in the nation.”

He added that the church remains committed to preaching peacefully while respecting the beliefs of others.

Responding to questions from journalists, PFN National Treasurer, Dr Sam Atoyebi, shifted attention to Nigeria’s security challenges.

He welcomed recent security successes but urged the government to intensify pressure on criminal groups.

“The government should ride on the back of that success and keep the heat on the bandits,” he said.

Atoyebi argued that insecurity continues to hinder national development and should remain a top priority.

“There are so many things waiting to be attended to, and insecurity is actually on the way.”

Commenting on the bill’s provisions affecting hawking inside commercial vehicles, Atoyebi said many traders operate in buses because they have few alternatives.

“Do they think those people are happy to be trading in the bus? It’s because they don’t have a choice.”

He described bus trading as a reflection of poverty rather than criminal behaviour.

“They should have rather found a way to make laws that would make life more comfortable for the people instead of tormenting the people already oppressed.”

Asked about preparations for the 2027 general election and the possibility of another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, Atoyebi said the church had not altered its previous position.

“I don’t think the church has ever changed their position,” he said.

“The fact that it subsisted in 2023 doesn’t mean the church has changed their position.”

He did not elaborate on what additional steps the fellowship intends to take ahead of the elections.