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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Christian bodies reject planned ban on bus preaching

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Christian organizations oppose a proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps Bill that would criminalize preaching in commercial vehicles.
  • They argue the amendment infringes on constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression.
  • The bill also proposes a N50,000 fine for hawkers, which critics say addresses symptoms of economic hardship rather than root causes.

Christian groups are challenging a proposed amendment to Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps Bill that seeks to ban preaching in commercial vehicles. Organizations like the Christian Council of Nigeria and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches argue that criminalizing preaching infringes upon Nigerians' constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression.

The Senate recently passed the bill, which includes a N50,000 fine for individuals caught hawking, trading, or preaching inside commercial vehicles. If signed into law, the legislation also mandates a N50,000 fine, six months imprisonment, or both, for motorists who refuse breathalyzer tests. The Christian Council of Nigeria expressed deep concern over the inclusion of preaching, stating that while they support road safety measures, they should not compromise fundamental freedoms.

The Christian Council of Nigeria fully supports every genuine effort aimed at improving road safety and reducing accidents on our highways. Respect for traffic regulations saves lives and should be encouraged.

— Rev. Evans OnyemaraStating support for road safety initiatives while raising concerns about the bill.

"The Christian Council of Nigeria fully supports every genuine effort aimed at improving road safety and reducing accidents on our highways," said Rev. Evans Onyemara, General Secretary of the CCN. "While the objective may be to reduce distractions, the inclusion of preaching alongside hawking and trading raises legitimate concerns about freedom of religion and expression as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

The council highlighted that commercial buses have historically served as spaces for Christians to share messages of hope and prayer with willing passengers. They insist that any restriction on such activities requires careful constitutional review. Furthermore, the organizations criticized the proposed N50,000 fine for hawkers, arguing it fails to address the underlying issues of poverty and unemployment that drive many Nigerians to street trading.

While the objective may be to reduce distractions, the inclusion of preaching alongside hawking and trading raises legitimate concerns about freedom of religion and expression as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

— Rev. Evans OnyemaraExplaining the constitutional implications of banning preaching in commercial vehicles.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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