The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-West zone, has urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the newly passed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, 2026, cautioning that its proposed ban on preaching in commercial vehicles threatens citizens’ fundamental rights.
The Senate recently passed the amendment, which prescribes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of preaching, trading, or hawking inside commercial buses. The bill also introduces a ₦50,000 fine, a six-month jail term, or both for motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials conducting roadside breathalyser tests.
In a statement released Thursday, South-West CAN Chairman Bishop Barnabas Akinsanya acknowledged the government’s efforts to enhance road safety, but warned that outlawing religious preaching without proving a direct public safety threat could create unnecessary tension and infringe upon constitutional guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression.
Addressing the broader economic implications, CAN noted that many Nigerians rely on informal trading for survival, arguing that government policies should focus on poverty reduction, job creation, and improved welfare rather than imposing restrictions that worsen financial hardship.
The religious body appealed for broader legislative consultation involving civil society, transport unions, legal experts, and religious organisations to produce a balanced framework that enhances safety without eroding civil liberties.
Highlighting the need for inclusive governance, the statement emphasised:
“Nigeria needs laws that unite rather than divide, protect lives without unnecessarily restricting freedoms, and strengthen public confidence in democratic governance.”