The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has vowed to continue preaching in commercial buses despite a proposed amendment to road traffic laws that could impose a ₦50,000 fine on offenders.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, PFN President Bishop Wale Oke declared that Christians would not stop evangelising even if authorities moved to enforce the proposed law.
“We will preach on buses. If they want to imprison us, let them come and arrest us. We are coming. We will preach in buses; they cannot stop us,” Oke said.
He was reacting to the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.
Oke argued that any attempt to restrict public preaching would amount to an infringement on Christians’ constitutional right to freely propagate their faith. Believers, he said, would continue to obey what they see as a divine mandate regardless of legal restrictions.
Reaffirming comments from a viral video, the PFN president insisted Christians would resist efforts to stop public evangelism.
“Make all the stadiums in Nigeria become prisons if you want to enforce that law. We are coming. We will preach inside buses; we will preach everywhere,” he declared.
The bishop described the proposal as a targeted attack on Christians rather than a genuine public safety measure, stressing that Nigeria is a multi-faith nation that should remain open to the expression of different religious beliefs.
The controversy arose after public concern grew over provisions in the amendment bill relating to preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles.
However, the Senate has clarified that the bill does not introduce a new ban on preaching or hawking in buses. Lawmakers explained that the provision has existed since the FRSC Establishment Act of 2007 (as Item 36 of the Second Schedule) and was retained as Item 49 in the proposed amendment. They also referenced Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, noting that it is already part of existing traffic laws.
Rejecting claims that the legislation seeks to prohibit street preaching or restrict religious activities in public spaces, the Senate said the measure is focused solely on the safety of commuters and other road users.
The upper chamber further clarified that the amendment bill was not sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, originating instead from the House of Representatives and currently before the Senate for concurrence.
