South-West CAN Urges Tinubu to Reject FRSC Amendment Bill

The South-West chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026. This bill includes provisions that would criminalize preaching in commercial vehicles and prohibit hawking, which CAN argues threaten constitutional rights and religious freedom.

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Bishop Dr. Barnabas Akinsanya, the association expressed support for government efforts to improve road safety but emphasized that such measures should not infringe on citizens' fundamental rights.

Akinsanya stated that any law restricting rights must be necessary, proportionate, and consistent with constitutional principles. He highlighted that a blanket ban on religious preaching without evidence of a direct threat to public safety could be seen as an unnecessary limitation on religious liberty.

Furthermore, CAN criticized the proposed ban on hawking, noting that many Nigerians rely on informal trading for their livelihoods and urged the government to focus on policies that create jobs and reduce poverty.