President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, has declared that Christians will continue preaching in commercial buses and other public places despite the controversy surrounding a proposed restriction linked to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act.
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, Oke described any attempt to prevent public evangelism as inconsistent with the Christian mandate to spread the gospel.
He maintained that believers would continue to preach peacefully, insisting that evangelism is a fundamental obligation of the Christian faith.
The cleric criticized lawmakers for what he described as misplaced priorities, arguing that the National Assembly should focus on addressing pressing security challenges such as kidnapping, banditry and violent crime rather than restricting religious activities.
His comments followed public reactions to reports that the proposed amendment to the FRSC (Establishment) Act could impose a N50,000 fine on persons convicted of preaching, hawking or trading inside commercial vehicles.
However, the Senate has clarified that the restriction is not a new provision introduced by the amendment bill. In a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the upper chamber said the prohibition has existed since 2007 under the Federal Road Safety Corps Act and the National Road Traffic Regulations.
The Senate said the ongoing amendment does not create a new offence but retains provisions already contained in existing road traffic laws.
The issue has continued to generate debate, with several Christian leaders expressing concern over the reported restriction.
Founder of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, said evangelism remains a fundamental Christian responsibility and urged authorities not to place unnecessary restrictions on peaceful religious activities.
Apparently, the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, reaffirmed that evangelism is central to Christianity and encouraged believers to remain committed to spreading the gospel while observing the law.
