The South-West branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has formally requested that President Bola Tinubu decline signing the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill of 2026 into law. According to the group’s chairman, Bishop Dr. Barnabas Tunde Akin Akinsanya, while road safety improvements are welcome, specific sections of the bill threaten constitutional rights and economic stability.
The association specifically opposes measures that would prohibit religious preaching and street hawking within commercial transport vehicles. CAN argues that such restrictions could infringe upon fundamental freedoms of religion and expression without providing clear safety benefits. Furthermore, they highlighted that banning hawking would negatively impact the livelihoods of many citizens currently struggling with the nation’s difficult economic climate.
Instead of pursuing these restrictive policies, the religious body is urging the federal government to focus on job creation, poverty alleviation, and the improvement of public infrastructure. They have recommended that President Tinubu return the bill for additional consultations. By engaging with religious leaders, legal experts, transport unions, and civil society, the government could craft more effective legislation that improves traffic safety without undermining the rights and dignity of the Nigerian people.
