TD The Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship (NCGF) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent to the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, citing concerns over a provision that would prohibit religious preaching, hawking, and trading inside commercial vehicles.
In an open letter dated July 21, 2026, and signed by the Fellowship’s National President, Prof. Ashong Ashong, alongside Deacon Majemite Onosode of the Directorate of Politics and Good Governance, the Christian body argued that the proposed legislation threatens constitutionally protected freedoms, particularly the rights to freedom of religion and expression.
The Fellowship acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to improving road safety and protecting lives but maintained that such efforts must remain consistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Constitutional Rights at Stake
According to the NCGF, the bill’s provision could criminalise peaceful religious evangelism without sufficient evidence that such activities inherently endanger public safety.
The organisation cited Section 38 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and the freedom to manifest and propagate religious beliefs publicly or privately.
It also referenced Section 39, which protects freedom of expression, arguing that religious preaching falls within the constitutional right to impart ideas and information.
The Fellowship further warned that the provision could violate Section 42 of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on religious grounds, expressing concern that enforcement could disproportionately affect Christian evangelism while similar activities by adherents of other faiths might not receive equal scrutiny.
Evangelism Described as Christian Obligation
The NCGF stressed that evangelism is a central obligation of the Christian faith rather than an optional religious practice.
The letter cited several biblical passages, including Matthew 28:19–20, Mark 16:15, Acts 4:20, Acts 5:29, Romans 13:1, and 1 Corinthians 9:16, to support its position that Christians are commanded to preach the Gospel publicly.
According to the Fellowship, any law criminalising peaceful evangelism interferes with deeply held religious convictions shared by millions of Nigerian Christians.
Call for Balanced Road Safety Measures
While opposing the proposed restriction, the Fellowship said it supports legitimate road safety initiatives and recommended alternative measures that would address safety concerns without infringing constitutional rights.
Among its recommendations are prohibiting activities that distract drivers while vehicles are in motion, banning excessively loud amplification inside moving vehicles, penalising harassment or intimidation of passengers, and sanctioning any conduct that obstructs the safe operation of commercial vehicles, regardless of whether it is religious, political, commercial, or social.
The group argued that such measures would promote public safety without criminalising peaceful religious expression.
Appeal to President and National Assembly
The Fellowship urged President Tinubu to decline assent to the contentious provision and return the bill to the National Assembly for further review.
It also called on lawmakers to consult religious leaders, constitutional scholars, civil society organisations, transport unions, and road safety experts in developing legislation that balances public safety with constitutional freedoms.
Copies of the open letter were addressed to the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The NCGF concluded by reaffirming its commitment to peace, national unity, responsible citizenship, and respect for constituted authority, while urging the government to preserve the constitutional rights of all Nigerians regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
