Bishop Wale Oke, head of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, has declared that Christians will persist with preaching in public transit and other spaces regardless of legislative efforts to limit these actions. Speaking during a Sunday service, Oke argued that hindering public ministry contradicts the fundamental Christian directive to share the gospel.
He challenged the National Assembly regarding the proposed measures, asserting that believers prioritize divine commands over human regulations. Oke explicitly stated that the PFN would disregard such prohibitions, highlighting that evangelism is a duty that will continue despite potential legal threats. Furthermore, he criticized lawmakers for prioritizing restrictions on preaching over urgent national issues like kidnapping, banditry, and rising violent crime.
The controversy stems from reports concerning the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, which purportedly suggests fines for hawking or preaching in commercial vehicles. In response, the office of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that these restrictions were not new, noting they have been part of existing road safety laws since 2007.
Other prominent figures, including Dr. Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre and Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church, have also defended the necessity of peaceful evangelism. They emphasize that spreading the gospel remains a central obligation for the faith community.
