The 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 on such activities.
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, Oke criticised the proposed legislation, insisting that no law should prevent Christians from fulfilling their biblical mandate to spread the gospel.
According to the PFN president, evangelism remains a fundamental responsibility of every believer and should not be criminalised.
“We will preach in buses! We will preach everywhere! Our Master told us to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” Oke said.
He added:
“We will rather obey God than man.”
Oke Criticises Focus of Proposed Law
The cleric also questioned why lawmakers were paying attention to preaching in commercial vehicles while insecurity, kidnapping and banditry continue to pose serious challenges across the country.
According to him, national efforts should be directed toward tackling violent crimes rather than restricting peaceful evangelism.
Senate Explains Controversial Provision
Oke’s comments come amid public reactions to reports that the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act would impose penalties on people found preaching, hawking or trading inside commercial vehicles.
However, the Senate has clarified that the provision is not new, explaining that it has existed under the Federal Road Safety Corps Act and the National Road Traffic Regulations since 2007.
In a statement issued by the Office of the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, lawmakers said the ongoing amendment did not introduce a fresh ban on preaching in commercial vehicles.
Christian Leaders React
The proposed restriction has continued to generate reactions from Christian leaders across the country.
Founder of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, maintained that evangelism remains a core Christian responsibility and urged that peaceful religious activities should not be unnecessarily restricted.
Similarly, the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, reaffirmed that preaching the gospel is central to the Christian faith and encouraged believers to remain committed to evangelism.
The debate over the proposed amendment continues as Nigerians await further legislative action and clarification on the issue.
