PFN's Bishop Oke Defies Proposed Ban on Bus Preaching

Bishop Wale Oke, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), stated that Christians will persist in preaching in commercial buses despite a proposed law aimed at prohibiting this practice. During a sermon, Oke asserted that the PFN would resist any enforcement of the law, emphasizing that preaching the gospel is essential.

He criticized lawmakers for prioritizing the ban on preaching over addressing serious issues like insecurity and violent crimes in Nigeria. Oke's comments came in response to a proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act, which includes penalties for preaching in commercial vehicles.

The Senate clarified that such prohibitions have existed in Nigerian law since 2007, and the recent amendment does not introduce new provisions. The Senate's statement followed public backlash against the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which suggests a fine of N50,000 for preaching or hawking in commercial vehicles.

Other Christian leaders, including Dr Paul Enenche, have also opposed the legislation.