By Mary Idika
The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, has strongly opposed the proposed restriction on preaching inside commercial buses, declaring that Christians will continue to evangelise regardless of any legislation.
Speaking during a church sermon on Sunday, Oke described the measure as an attack on Christians’ constitutional and biblical responsibility to spread the gospel, insisting that members of the fellowship would resist its enforcement.
“Our Master told us to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. You sit somewhere there, and you are saying we shouldn’t preach in buses. We will preach in buses. We will preach everywhere because you are making evil decrees. We will rather obey God than man,” he said.
The cleric criticised the National Assembly for prioritising restrictions on religious activities instead of tackling insecurity, kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes.
“You do not go after killers; you are not going after those beheading people; you are not going after rapists or kidnappers. Instead, you are going after those preaching the message of peace that changes lives. We wouldn’t listen to you. You are not God,” Oke said.
He warned that Christians would resist any attempt to implement the law, urging lawmakers to reconsider their position.
His comments come amid growing reactions from Christian leaders over reports that amendments to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act would impose penalties on individuals who preach, hawk, or engage in unsolicited religious activities inside commercial vehicles.
The Senate clarified that the provision is not new, noting that prohibitions on preaching, hawking, and trading inside commercial vehicles have existed under the FRSC Act and National Road Traffic Regulations since 2007.
The clarification followed public criticism after reports that the Senate passed the FRSC (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading, or preaching inside commercial vehicles.
The Senate maintained that the ongoing amendment does not introduce a fresh offence but seeks to update the existing law.
Other prominent Christian leaders have also voiced opposition. Pastor Paul Enenche argued that evangelism remains a fundamental Christian obligation and warned against policies that could restrict peaceful gospel preaching in public spaces.
Similarly, Bishop David Oyedepo has consistently maintained that evangelism is central to the Christian faith, urging believers to remain committed to soul-winning despite perceived opposition.
Analysts note that the controversy highlights the tension between religious freedom and regulatory efforts to maintain order in public spaces.
Observers also argue that the debate could shape future discussions on balancing constitutional rights with public safety, especially in Nigeria’s diverse religious landscape.
