Nigeria's PFN Urges President to Reject Anti-Preaching Bill

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly advised President Bola Tinubu against signing a proposed bill that would regulate preaching and hawking. The Christian organization described the legislation as unnecessary and a distraction from Nigeria's critical challenges, including widespread insecurity and economic hardship.

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Many laws already exist in Nigeria which, if properly enforced, can bring sanity to different aspects of our national life. Our concern is that this law is not the urgent need of Nigerians at this time.

During a press conference in Lagos following a National Executive Council meeting, PFN National Secretary Bishop David Bakare characterized the bill as a needless measure specifically targeting Christians. He argued that Nigeria's primary issues stem from poor enforcement of existing laws, not a lack of legislation. "Many laws already exist in Nigeria which, if properly enforced, can bring sanity to different aspects of our national life," Bakare stated, emphasizing that this bill is not an urgent need for Nigerians.

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We cannot understand how this has become a traffic offence in any form. There are other issues that can be considered traffic offences in Nigeria that have not been addressed.

The PFN questioned the rationale behind classifying preaching in commercial vehicles as a traffic offense, suggesting insufficient consultation with stakeholders. Bakare also expressed concern about the bill's legislative progress, noting the organization's lack of awareness after its passage by the Senate. He warned that religious matters are sensitive in Nigeria and that the bill could create unnecessary tension between religious communities and the government.

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Christians in Nigeria consider that law as being against the church. It is deliberately organised to stir up the church against the state.

"Christians in Nigeria consider that law as being against the church. It is deliberately organised to stir up the church against the state," Bakare said. The PFN urged President Tinubu to withhold his assent and send the bill back for broader public debate involving all relevant stakeholders. The fellowship maintained that the proposed law fails to address the country's core problems and should not be prioritized.

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Let the public debate it. Invite the relevant people who are directly affected by such laws to come and discuss it.