Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s outburst against the Senate’s bus preaching ban made for dramatic viewing, but the actual law he’s attacking has far less to do with faith and everything to do with keeping people alive.
The FRSC Act Amendment Bill 2026 imposes a ₦50,000 fine on anyone — preacher, hawker, or trader — who distracts a driver inside a commercial vehicle. It’s not a targeted attack on Christianity; it’s a blanket safety measure.
Lawmakers argue that shouting, microphone use, or heated sermons inside moving buses dangerously break a driver’s focus.
In a country where road crashes kill thousands annually, removing that distraction is common sense. Moreover, buses carry passengers of different faiths. Forcing religious messages on a captive audience has led to arguments and public breaches of peace, which is why even the Muslim Rights Concern backs the law as a fair, neutral policy.
Crucially, not all Christian leaders are with Ibiyeomie. Pastor Remmy Hazzan of RCCG supports the ban, noting that Scripture commands order and obedience to civil laws designed to protect life.
The ban doesn’t stop street crusades or church services — it just asks that moving buses remain safe, quiet spaces. Ibiyeomie’s fury might rally a crowd, but it misses the simple point: this is a road safety law, not a religious war. Lives are worth more than loud sermons on wheels.
