AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the Federal Road Safety Corps Amendment Bill 2026, describing the proposed ban on preaching in commercial vehicles as discriminatory and capable of fuelling religious tension.
The fellowship said the provision appeared to be deliberately targeted at Christians and should not be signed into law.
The PFN National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, stated this on Thursday while briefing journalists after the fellowship’s third quarterly National Executive Council meeting in Lagos.
Bakare said although the PFN appreciated the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the National Assembly to improve road safety, the proposed legislation was unnecessary and misplaced in view of the country’s more pressing challenges.
The bill proposes a fine of N50,000, six months’ imprisonment, or both, for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching in commercial vehicles.
He said, “We appreciate the intention of the lawmakers to strengthen road safety and ensure safer roads for all Nigerians. However, we do not think this is one of the urgent issues confronting the nation at this time.”
According to him, Nigeria is currently facing insecurity, economic hardship and poor infrastructure, which should take priority over a law that could generate religious controversy.
Bakare questioned the rationale for classifying preaching in commercial vehicles as a traffic offence, insisting that there was no evidence that such activities had caused road accidents or distracted drivers.
He also argued that the proposed legislation conflicts with constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of religion and expression.
The PFN scribe further criticised what he described as the selective focus of the bill, saying that if the intention was to prevent activities that obstruct traffic, similar provisions should apply to all offenders, irrespective of religion.
He expressed concern over reports that the bill was awaiting presidential assent despite not completing the legislative process, including concurrence by the House of Representatives.
Bakare appealed to Tinubu to return the bill for wider consultation, saying stakeholders likely to be affected should be given the opportunity to make their inputs.
“We do not want confrontation with the government, but we believe this law is capable of creating unnecessary religious tension in a sensitive country like Nigeria,” he said.
He warned that any attempt to enforce the legislation would be viewed by Christians as an infringement on their constitutional right to preach the gospel peacefully.
Bakare also urged the Federal Government to sustain its efforts against insecurity by intensifying operations against bandits, while calling on the National Assembly to prioritise legislation aimed at addressing poverty, insecurity and the welfare of Nigerians.
On the possibility of another Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2027 general elections, he said the fellowship had not changed its position and advised journalists to refer to previous PFN statements on the issue.
