- PFN says Christians will continue preaching in commercial buses
- Wale Oke insists no law can stop public evangelism
- The Senate says the bill is about road safety, not religion
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has declared that Christians will continue preaching in commercial buses despite concerns over proposed amendments to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act, insisting that no law can prevent believers from spreading the gospel.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that PFN National President and Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries International, Bishop Wale Oke, made the declaration during Wednesday’s edition of The Morning Brief on Channels Television.
Oke said Christians would remain committed to public evangelism even if it resulted in arrests, stressing that they would obey God’s command above any law restricting their religious activities.
According to him, attempts to stop preaching in commercial vehicles amount to an infringement on the constitutional right to freely practise and propagate one’s faith.
“We will continue to preach in buses. If they choose to arrest or imprison us, so be it. We are determined to keep preaching because no one can stop the gospel,” he said.
The cleric also defended comments he made in a viral video, where he vowed that Christians would not be intimidated by any regulation seeking to restrict public evangelism.
He maintained that if authorities intended to enforce such a law, they would have to arrest countless believers across the country, insisting that Christians would continue preaching wherever opportunities arise.
Bishop Oke described the proposed measure as one that unfairly targets Christians rather than serving any genuine public interest.
He argued that Nigeria is a multi-religious nation and should continue to guarantee every citizen the freedom to express and practise their faith without intimidation.
The debate follows public reactions to proposed amendments to the FRSC Establishment Act, with some Nigerians expressing fears that the legislation seeks to prohibit preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles.
However, the Senate has dismissed those claims, explaining that the restriction is not a new provision.
In a statement issued by the Office of the Senate Leader, the upper legislative chamber clarified that preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles have been prohibited under the existing FRSC Establishment Act of 2007 and the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2012.
The Senate explained that the current amendment merely renumbers the relevant provision and does not introduce a fresh ban on religious activities.
It also emphasised that the proposed legislation is aimed at improving road safety and protecting commuters, not restricting religious freedom or public worship.
The upper chamber further clarified that the amendment bill did not originate from the Senate Leader but was transmitted from the House of Representatives as part of the legislative process.
The Senate urged religious groups and other stakeholders to channel their concerns through the ongoing legislative process, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and public participation before the bill is finalised
