PFN Warns NASS: Preaching Ban in Buses Could Jail 65 Million Christians
PFN President Bishop Francis Wale Oke denounced the National Assembly’s reported plan to ban preaching in buses and taxis across Nigeria, warning that over 65 million Christians would defy the law and face imprisonment. Speaking in a viral video on August 3, 2026, he said believers must obey God rather than man, insisting they would preach everywhere and fill prisons if the ban were enforced. The Senate later clarified that the prohibition of preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles is not a new proposal but has existed since 2007 under the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act.
This matters because preaching on public transport is a widespread practice, especially among Pentecostal congregations, and forms part of daily religious expression for millions of commuters. A ban would affect not only religious freedom but also daily routines, risk mass arrests, and heighten tensions between religious groups and government authorities. The Senate’s clarification suggests a possible move toward stricter enforcement of an existing law that has largely been ignored.
If you use buses or taxis, know that preaching and hawking inside vehicles has been illegal since 2007; enforcement may increase. Consider alternative ways to share your faith or prepare for possible legal consequences. Stay updated on any enforcement announcements and decide how you will respond: will you continue to preach in public transport despite the risk, or seek other avenues to express your beliefs?