Nigeria President Tinubu Faces Opposition Over Bill Criminalising Preaching on Buses

A Christian coalition led by the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reject the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Amendment Bill that would criminalise preaching inside commercial vehicles. The group’s president, Dr Israel Akinadewo, warned that equating gospel preaching with hawking “is insensitive and inappropriate” and could infringe constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and expression.

The Senate has already passed the amendment, which adds preaching to a list of prohibited activities on buses and imposes a N50,000 fine for violations. Lawmakers argue the measure will reduce driver distraction and improve road safety, while some religious leaders, such as Bishop Joseph Ojo of Calvary Kingdom Church, claim it targets the Christian community and question how it would be enforced after a recent court ruling limiting the FRSC’s authority.