The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to decline assent to the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill 2026, arguing that the provision prohibiting preaching in commercial vehicles is discriminatory and could heighten religious tensions across the country.
The position was presented by the PFN National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, while briefing journalists after the fellowship’s 3rd Quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos on Thursday. Bakare said the fellowship acknowledges efforts by the FRSC and the National Assembly to improve road safety but believes the proposed legislation is unnecessary and appears to unfairly target Christians.
Under the bill, anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside a commercial vehicle could face a fine of ₦50,000, a six-month jail term, or both. Bakare questioned why preaching should be classified as a traffic offence, insisting there is no evidence that peaceful evangelism inside commercial vehicles has caused road accidents or distracted drivers. He further argued that the provision conflicts with constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and expression.
The PFN also expressed concern that Nigeria is currently facing more urgent challenges such as insecurity, economic hardship and failing infrastructure, which deserve greater legislative attention. According to Bakare, if the objective of the bill is to reduce activities that obstruct traffic, the law should apply equally to all forms of obstruction without singling out religious preaching.
He further disclosed that the fellowship had received reports suggesting the bill was awaiting presidential assent despite concerns that the legislative process, including concurrence by the House of Representatives, had not been fully concluded. The PFN therefore urged President Tinubu to return the bill for broader stakeholder consultations rather than sign it into law.
Bakare stressed that the fellowship was not seeking confrontation with the government but warned that many Christians would interpret the legislation as an attempt to curtail their constitutional right to freely preach the gospel. He also called on the Federal Government to intensify the fight against insecurity and urged lawmakers to prioritise legislation aimed at tackling poverty, improving security and enhancing the welfare of Nigerians.
Bakare’s briefing corroborates an earlier statement signed by the PFN National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Sylvanus Ukafia. In the statement, the Christian body said Nigeria’s unity, peace and progress could only be sustained where justice, equity, the rule of law and respect for the Constitution are upheld. It stressed that the country’s diversity should be protected and reflected in governance.
The council also strongly opposed any proposed law or policy aimed at banning or unduly restricting Christian preaching. It maintained that such legislation would be inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, religion, expression and peaceful assembly.
While acknowledging the need for lawful regulations to preserve public order, the PFN insisted that such measures must never become instruments for suppressing legitimate religious expression or infringing on the fundamental rights of citizens.
The statement was endorsed by PFN National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, alongside National Deputy President Rev. Dr. Cosmas Ikechukwu, National Secretary Bishop David Bakare and National Treasurer Rev. Dr. Sam Aboyeji.
