The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to reconsider sections of the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that some provisions could violate citizens’ constitutional rights.
The council expressed concern over a clause proposing a ₦50,000 fine for anyone caught hawking, trading, or preaching inside commercial buses. It argued that grouping religious preaching with commercial activities raises serious questions about freedom of religion and expression.
In a statement issued on Friday, the General Secretary of the CCN, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, said the organisation supports efforts to improve road safety but insisted that such measures should not undermine fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
He noted that while initiatives aimed at reducing road accidents are commendable, they should not restrict peaceful religious activities.
The Senate recently approved the FRSC Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes a ₦100,000 penalty for motorists who violate traffic signals and a ₦50,000 fine for individuals who hawk, trade, or preach in commercial buses.
Reacting to the bill, the CCN said including preaching among prohibited activities was troubling, stressing that commercial buses have long served as places where Christians share messages of hope, encouragement, repentance, and prayers with willing passengers.
According to the council, any law seeking to regulate such peaceful religious expression should be carefully examined to ensure it does not erode constitutional freedoms or create the impression that Christian evangelism is being unfairly targeted.
The organisation also criticised the proposed fine for hawkers, arguing that many Nigerians engage in street and mobile trading because of rising poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship.
Rather than imposing heavy penalties on struggling citizens, the council urged the government to address the root causes of the problem through job creation, economic empowerment programmes, and designated trading areas where necessary.
The CCN called on President Tinubu, the National Assembly, and other stakeholders to organise broader consultations before the bill becomes law.
It recommended that faith-based organisations, transport unions, civil society groups, road safety experts, and representatives of vulnerable communities be involved in reviewing the legislation.
According to the council, Nigeria requires laws that promote road safety while respecting constitutional rights and protecting citizens from unnecessary hardship.
The organisation maintained that legislation should strengthen national unity, uphold justice, preserve religious liberty, and safeguard the dignity of every Nigerian.
