BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has kicked against the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, recently passed by the National Assembly, stressing that it violates the provisions of the Nigerian constitution that guarantees freedom of religion.
The Christian body stressed any law that seeks to restrict 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 in the country.
It further stated that imposing heavy fines on people engaged in hawking totally failed to address the deeper issues of poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.
The Christian Council of Nigeria emphasised that it believes that legislation should unite rather than divide, protect rather than alienate, as well as promote public safety and fundamental human rights.
Accordingly, CCN called for a critical review of the Bill awaiting the assent of the President in order to conform to the country’s body of laws.
The CCN in a statement by Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, General Secretary stated that it received with concerns, the passage of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by the Senate.
The proposed legislation prescribes a ₦100,000 fine for traffic light violations and a ₦50,000 fine for hawking, trading, or preaching in commercial buses.
The Christian Council of Nigeria stated that while it supports every genuine effort aimed at improving road safety, reducing accidents on our highways and respect for traffic regulations to saves lives which should be encouraged, it however, expressed serious concern about the provision prohibiting preaching in commercial buses.
The CCN stated; “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.
“For decades, commercial buses have served as places where many Christians have shared brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement, and prayer with willing listeners.
“Poverty should not be criminalised. Where public safety requires restrictions, government should consider humane alternatives such as designated trading areas, appropriate age restrictions, and sustainable economic empowerment programmes rather than punitive sanctions,” it stressed.
The Council therefore appealed to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and relevant stakeholders to engage in wider consultations before the proposed amendment becomes law.
It also said; “Such dialogue should involve faith-based organisations, civil society groups, transport unions, road safety experts, and representatives of vulnerable communities.
“Nigeria needs laws that are firm yet compassionate, laws that protect lives without placing unbearable burdens on citizens who are already struggling to survive.
“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,” CCN stated.
