The Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, has called for a review of controversial provisions in the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, recently passed by the Senate, expressing concern over what he said could affect constitutional rights and impose undue hardship on vulnerable Nigerians.
The proposed amendment prescribes a N100,000 fine for traffic light violations and a N50,000 fine for hawking, trading, or preaching in commercial buses.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, the Council said it supports efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents across the country, noting that adherence to traffic regulations is essential for protecting lives.
However, the CCN expressed reservations about the provision prohibiting preaching in commercial buses, arguing that placing religious preaching in the same category as hawking and trading raises concerns about the constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression.
“The Council is deeply concerned about the provision prohibiting preaching in commercial buses. 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,” CCN said.
According to the Council, commercial buses have long served as venues where Christians share brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement, and prayer with willing passengers.
It maintained that any restriction on such peaceful religious expression should be carefully examined to ensure it does not undermine constitutional freedoms or create the perception that
