₦airaland Forum

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to review controversial provisions of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that aspects of the proposed legislation could infringe on Nigerians' constitutional rights and worsen the plight of vulnerable citizens.

The council expressed particular concern over a provision in the bill prescribing a ₦50,000 fine for hawking, trading or preaching in commercial buses, arguing that placing Christian evangelism in the same category as commercial activities raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, the Christian body said although it supports measures aimed at improving road safety, the legislation should not come at the expense of constitutionally guaranteed 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," the statement said.

The Senate recently passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes a ₦100,000 fine for motorists who violate traffic lights and a ₦50,000 fine for anyone caught hawking, trading or preaching in commercial buses.

Reacting to the development, the CCN said it was "deeply concerned" about the inclusion of preaching among the prohibited activities.

"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," Onyemara said.

According to the council, commercial buses have for decades served as spaces where Christians share brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement and prayers with willing passengers, insisting that any attempt to restrict such activities must undergo careful constitutional scrutiny.

"For decades, commercial buses have served as places where many Christians have shared brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement, and prayer with willing listeners. Any law that seeks to restrict such peaceful religious expression must be carefully scrutinized to ensure that it does not erode constitutional freedoms or create the perception that Christian evangelism is being unfairly restricted," the statement added.

The council also faulted the proposed ₦50,000 fine for hawkers, saying the measure addresses the symptoms of Nigeria's economic crisis rather than its root causes.

According to the CCN, many Nigerians engage in street and mobile trading because of widespread poverty, unemployment and rising economic hardship, and should not be punished for trying to survive.

"The Council also believes that imposing heavy fines on people engaged in hawking fails to address the deeper issues of poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians. Poverty should not be criminalised," the statement read.

It urged the government to adopt more humane alternatives, including the creation of designated trading areas, age-appropriate restrictions where necessary and sustainable economic empowerment programmes instead of punitive sanctions.

The Christian body appealed to President Tinubu, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to subject the bill to broader public consultation before it is signed into law.

"The Christian Council of Nigeria therefore appeals to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly, and relevant stakeholders to engage in wider consultation before the proposed amendment becomes law," Onyemara said.

According to the council, the consultation process should include faith-based organisations, civil society groups, transport unions, road safety experts and representatives of vulnerable communities to ensure that the final legislation reflects both public safety concerns and constitutional safeguards.

"Nigeria needs laws that are firm yet compassionate, laws that protect lives without placing unbearable burdens on citizens who are already struggling to survive," the statement added.

The CCN maintained that legislation should strengthen national unity rather than create unnecessary divisions or perceptions of discrimination.

"The Christian Council of Nigeria believes that legislation should unite rather than divide, protect rather than alienate, and promote both public safety and fundamental human rights. As the moral voice of the nation, the Council remains committed to supporting policies that uphold justice, compassion, religious liberty, and the dignity of every Nigerian," the statement concluded.

Mattswaggz:
Yep....we want a sane and developed country but we don't want to do what they did that made them as developed as they are today....we should chose religion over common sense and overall common good...while people who knows how this life works are moving forward and taking their countries to the next level you have a country filled with overzealous religious bigots and corrupt people asking why their country is backward.


Nigerians truly don't want a working country, they love this present system....they only complain when "it doesn't favor them and their families".... almost everyone is selfish and self centered and not concerned about the good or all in a so called "secular" country....we will get there when we are ready as for now let's keep going round the circle of self deceit and blaming others for our woes... imagine wasting valuable time and resources in the name of defending some BORROWED/FORCED UPON RELIGION in this time and in this age and it's not as if it has brought any goodness with it...the country and a lot of those practicing the said religion are both getting worst by the day.

Brendaniel:
Nigeria's problem is not religion, it is ideology, wrong ideologies, if religion was the problem, UAE, Qatar and co will not be where they are today and yet are highly religious...

Look at Nigeria by region and ask yourself what each region wants, then you will know one of the core problems of Nigeria...

Mattswaggz:
I disagree that they're highly religious to some extent.....if they see that a specific religious ideology will tamper with their growth and development, they throw it away....the one's in this country always carry religion for head yet their actions speaks otherwise.

Brendaniel:
Like I said earlier on, Ideology is the problem, wrong ones which they bring into religion, politics and tribe, look at Nigeria, just look at Nigeria, if you think it is only religion that is causing problem in Nigeria, then you've missed it...

That's why I'm telling you to look at the regions, it is more of ideology, wrong ideologies which they have dragged into religion, tribe and politics...

What is mainly destroying Nigeria is supremacist ideologies combined with inferiority complex, the religion is only one of the tools being used, so even if you crush it, there are other tools readily available to be used...

Look at each region in Nigeria closely, you will see the answers...

Mattswaggz:
But we definitely have to start from somewhere so I wonder why all those people shouting they want are better Nigeria are complaining and attacking this move.....why not just commend the move and name similar situations that are being ignored to be tackled as well instead of plainly labelling it an "attack" against them.

Brendaniel:
For me, I prefer tackling problems from the root cause, that way the symptoms and the effects also follow...

Mattswaggz:
Christian Council Asks Tinubu, Senate To Review FRSC Bill Criminalising Preaching In Commercial Buses

https://saharareporters.com/2026/07/18/cchristian-council-asks-tinubu-senate-review-frsc-bill-criminalising-preaching-commercial

abbasajao:
Preaching in the public bus should be criminalized and attract stiffer punishments.

writeprof:
We are supposed to have people who call themselves Christians among the legislators... I pity them...

Preaching anywhere and everywhere is part of the Christian Gospel which cannot be taken away from Christianity...
Acts 1:8; Matthew 28: 19 -20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 4:34-36

I will not stop preaching in cars and buses because I know people are blessed by the response I receive.

writeprof:
We are supposed to have people who call themselves Christians among the legislators... I pity them...

Preaching anywhere and everywhere is part of the Christian Gospel which cannot be taken away from Christianity...
Acts 1:8; Matthew 28: 19 -20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 4:34-36

I will not stop preaching in cars and buses because I know people are blessed by the response I receive.

Mattswaggz:
yep...this is backwardness and third world country mentality speaking....let the blaming of leaders for Nigeria's lack of progress stop then since all of you are in it.

enemyofprogress:
try it and see what we'll do to you. Be the first scapegoat.

who are the we?enemiesofprogress

writeprof:
How has preaching in public vehicles hindered the forwardness or progress you are clamouring for? Misplaced priority indeed!

Mattswaggz:
Yep....we want a sane and developed country but we don't want to do what they did that made them as developed as they are today....we should chose religion over common sense and overall common good...while people who knows how this life works are moving forward and taking their countries to the next level you have a country filled with overzealous religious bigots and corrupt people asking why their country is backward.


Nigerians truly don't want a working country, they love this present system....they only complain when "it doesn't favor them and their families".... almost everyone is selfish and self centered and not concerned about the good or all in a so called "secular" country....we will get there when we are ready as for now let's keep going round the circle of self deceit and blaming others for our woes... imagine wasting valuable time and resources in the name of defending some BORROWED/FORCED UPON RELIGION in this time and in this age and it's not as if it has brought any goodness with it...the country and a lot of those practicing the said religion are both getting worst by the day.

Mattswaggz:
The hawking has a root cause(Poverty)...but poverty level can only be reduced to the bearest minimum but can hardly be eradicated....while preaching in the bus is nothing but nuisance and making others uncomfortable....imagine if for instance the one preaching annoys another one who doesn't share same beliefs with him and it leads to an argument that escalated to physical confrontation....who will be to blame?.

You have churches and other places including online to preach all day if you want...there is no reason why anyone should be doing to others exactly what they wouldn't want to be done unto them because they think they're right.