The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has declared it will oppose any move to prevent Christians from preaching in commercial vehicles, insisting believers will continue evangelising regardless of any legal restrictions.
Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, PFN President and Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries International, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, said Christians would “rather obey God than man”, arguing that preventing public evangelism would infringe on their constitutional right to freely practice and propagate their faith.
“We will preach in buses if they want to imprison us; let them come and arrest us. We are coming. We will preach in buses; they cannot stop us,” he said.
Bishop Oke Vows To Continue Public Evangelism
Responding to widespread reactions to a viral video of his address to members of his church, Bishop Oke reaffirmed his commitment to resisting any law that seeks to restrict public preaching.
He declared:
“Make all the stadiums in Nigeria become a prison if you want to enforce that law. We are coming. We will preach in buses; we will preach everywhere.”
The PFN president described the proposed restriction as an attack on Christians rather than a genuine effort to improve road safety.
According to him, the move reflects what he believes is part of a wider pattern of policies directed against Christians.
He also stressed that Nigeria remains a multi-religious nation where citizens should be free to practice and share their faith.
Senate Says No New Ban Is Being Introduced
The controversy follows public debate surrounding proposed amendments to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Establishment Act, particularly provisions relating to preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles.
However, the Senate has clarified that the amendment bill does not introduce any new prohibition on religious preaching or hawking in commercial buses.
In a statement released on Monday by the Office of the Senate Leader, lawmakers explained that the prohibition has existed since the enactment of the FRSC Establishment Act of 2007.
The Senate cited Section 10(4) of the Act and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012 as the legal basis for the existing provision.
According to the statement, the only change in the amendment is the renumbering of the provision from Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act to Item 49.
Bill Focused on Road Safety, Senate Insists
The Senate dismissed reports suggesting that the amendment seeks to outlaw street preaching or restrict religious activities in public spaces.
The statement said:
“It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and is not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space.”
Lawmakers also clarified that the amendment bill was not sponsored by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, contrary to some reports.
According to the Senate, the legislation originated in the House of Representatives and is currently before the upper chamber as a concurrence bill in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The Senate noted that the legislative process is still underway and encouraged religious organisations and other stakeholders with concerns to participate through the appropriate legislative channels before the bill is concluded.
It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and public engagement, maintaining that the proposed amendment is intended to strengthen road safety and safeguard commuters rather than limit religious freedom.
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