PFN President Vows to Defy Ban on Bus Preaching

Bishop Wale Oke, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), criticized the National Assembly for proposing legislation to prohibit preaching in commercial buses. During a sermon on Sunday, Oke declared that Christians would defy the law, emphasizing that preaching the gospel is a divine mandate.

He stated, “We will break that law,” and accused lawmakers of neglecting pressing issues like insecurity and violent crimes while targeting religious activities. Oke's comments come 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 this prohibition is not new, having existed in Nigerian law since 2007. The proposed amendment includes a fine of N50,000 for those convicted of preaching or hawking in commercial vehicles.

The Senate acknowledged public concerns regarding the amendment, asserting that the existing laws already cover these offenses.