The Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Nigeria Region, has urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed amendment of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Bill, arguing that some of its provisions could infringe on Nigerians’ constitutional rights.

In a statement released on Saturday, the association’s President, Dr. Israel Akinadewo, expressed concern over reports that the proposed legislation would classify preaching inside commercial vehicles alongside activities such as hawking, making both punishable under the law.

According to the group, treating religious evangelism as a prohibited activity is inconsistent with the constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

The association acknowledged the importance of maintaining safety and order on the nation’s roads but insisted that peaceful preaching should not be regarded as a criminal or commercial activity.

OAIC noted that evangelism in commercial buses has long been a common means of spreading messages centred on faith, moral values, hope, repentance and peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.

It warned that any law capable of criminalising peaceful religious expression could amount to an unnecessary restriction on the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

The group therefore appealed to President Tinubu not to sign the bill into law in its current form. It also called on the National Assembly to revisit the contentious provisions through wider consultations with religious organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to strike a balance between road safety and constitutional freedoms.

While making its appeal, the association reaffirmed its commitment to lawful and responsible religious activities, urging preachers to conduct evangelism in ways that do not disrupt public order while encouraging the government to continue safeguarding citizens’ fundamental freedoms.

The appeal follows the passage of amendments to the FRSC Bill by the Senate, which proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone found guilty of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.

The proposed legislation, which is awaiting presidential assent, also prescribes a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both, for motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests carried out on reasonable suspicion.

The amendment is part of broader efforts to strengthen the FRSC Act by improving compliance with traffic regulations, reducing road crashes and introducing tougher penalties for traffic-related offences.