By DAYO ADESULU
The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to review contentious provisions in the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that some sections of the legislation could infringe on Nigerians’ constitutional rights, particularly the freedom of religion and expression.
The appeal follows the Senate’s passage of the amendment bill, which proposes a ₦100,000 fine for motorists who violate traffic lights and a ₦50,000 fine for anyone found hawking, trading, or preaching in commercial buses.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, the Christian Council said it supports initiatives aimed at improving road safety but argued that such efforts should not come at the expense of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
According to the Council, grouping peaceful Christian evangelism with hawking and commercial trading raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.
“While the objective may be to reduce distractions in commercial vehicles, the inclusion of preaching alongside hawking and trading raises legitimate concerns about freedom of religion and freedom of expression as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.
The Council noted that for decades, commercial buses across Nigeria have served as platforms where Christians share brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement, and prayer with willing passengers.
It maintained that any attempt to restrict such peaceful religious activities should undergo broader constitutional scrutiny to avoid creating the impression that Christian evangelism is being unfairly targeted.
Beyond the issue of preaching, the CCN also questioned the proposed ₦50,000 fine for street hawkers, describing the measure as punitive against citizens struggling with worsening economic hardship.
The Council argued that many Nigerians resort to hawking because of rising unemployment, poverty, and the high cost of living, stressing that government should focus on addressing the root causes of economic hardship rather than criminalising survival.
Instead of imposing stiff penalties, the Christian body urged the government to establish designated trading areas, introduce appropriate regulations where necessary, and expand economic empowerment programmes for vulnerable Nigerians.
The Council further called on President Tinubu to withhold assent to the bill until wider consultations are held with religious organisations, civil society groups, transport unions, road safety experts, and representatives of vulnerable communities.
According to the CCN, Nigeria requires legislation that balances public safety with the protection of fundamental human rights.
It added that laws should unite Nigerians, protect religious liberty, uphold justice and compassion, and avoid creating unnecessary divisions or perceptions of discrimination.
Why This Matters
If signed into law in its current form, the proposed FRSC amendment could significantly alter activities permitted in commercial buses nationwide. While supporters argue the measure is intended to minimise distractions and improve road safety, critics insist that restrictions on peaceful religious preaching may trigger constitutional debates over freedom of worship and expression.
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