By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Bishop Wale Oke, has vowed that Christians will continue preaching in commercial buses despite the proposed legislation seeking to prohibit evangelism and other unsolicited religious activities in public transport.
Speaking during a sermon, Oke described the proposed measure as an attempt to suppress the Christian faith, insisting that evangelism is a divine mandate that cannot be stopped by legislation.
“We will preach in buses. We will preach everywhere. Our Master commanded us to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. We will rather obey God than man,” he declared.
The PFN president warned that members of the fellowship would resist any attempt to enforce the proposed law, saying they were prepared to face arrest if necessary.
Oke also criticised the National Assembly for focusing on religious preaching instead of addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, including terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and violent crimes.
“You are not going after killers, kidnappers, rapists and bandits carrying illegal arms. Instead, you are targeting people preaching peace that transforms lives. We will not listen to you because you are not God,” he said.
He further condemned lawmakers backing the proposal, warning that they should abandon the initiative or face divine judgment.
His remarks come amid growing opposition from Christian leaders over the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC Establishment Act, which prescribes a N50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.
However, the Senate has maintained that the provision is not new. In a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, lawmakers clarified that the restriction has existed since the enactment of the FRSC Act and the National Road Traffic Regulations in 2007, and was not introduced in the current amendment bill.
Several prominent clerics, including Dr. Paul Enenche, Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, have also opposed any move they believe could restrict peaceful public evangelism, insisting that preaching the gospel remains a fundamental Christian responsibility.
