The Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Nigeria Region, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed amendment of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Bill, arguing that provisions reportedly criminalising preaching in commercial vehicles threaten Nigerians’ constitutional rights.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the association’s President, Dr. Israel Akinadewo, expressed concern that the proposed legislation places preaching in commercial vehicles in the same category as hawking and other prohibited activities.

According to OAIC, equating the peaceful preaching of the Gospel with commercial hawking is inappropriate and inconsistent with the constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

Akinadewo stated that while the association supports efforts to improve safety and order on Nigerian roads, preaching remains a constitutionally protected activity and should not be classified as a criminal or commercial offence.

The association noted that preaching in commercial vehicles has long served as a legitimate means of spreading messages of faith, hope, morality, repentance and peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.

It warned that any legislation that criminalises peaceful religious expression could amount to an unnecessary restriction on the constitutional rights of citizens.

OAIC therefore urged President Tinubu not to sign the bill in its current form and called on the National Assembly to review the relevant provisions through broad consultations with religious organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to ensure that road safety measures do not undermine constitutional freedoms.

The association also reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and responsible religious conduct, encouraging preachers to carry out evangelism in a manner that respects public order while urging the government to safeguard the constitutional rights that underpin Nigeria’s democracy.

The Senate had proposed a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.

The bill, which seeks to strengthen road safety enforcement and curb activities considered capable of distracting drivers, is currently awaiting presidential assent.

If signed into law, the amendment will also impose a ₦50,000 fine, a six-month prison sentence, or both, on motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion.

The proposed amendment is part of a broader review of the FRSC Act aimed at improving compliance with traffic regulations, reducing road crashes and enhancing road safety through tougher penalties for traffic-related offences.