ICTF Urges Tinubu to Withhold Assent to Bill Restricting Gospel Preaching in Public Buses

The Institute of Christian Theological Fellows (ICTF) Nigeria has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed legislation seeking to prohibit the preaching of the Gospel in public transport vehicles, describing the bill as one that raises constitutional concerns and requires broader stakeholder consultation.

In a public statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Chibuzo Emmanuel Nwagwu, the Christian body said while it supports responsible citizenship, public order and peaceful coexistence, any law restricting religious expression must be consistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and applied fairly to all religious groups.

ICTF maintained that Section 38(1) of the Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the liberty to manifest and propagate one’s faith, provided such expression is peaceful and does not infringe on the rights of others.

The organisation warned that a blanket prohibition on peaceful evangelism in public transport could undermine Nigeria’s democratic values and religious pluralism.

According to the statement, the proposed legislation should be reviewed to ensure that it does not selectively target Christian evangelism while accommodating similar religious activities by adherents of other faiths.

ICTF noted that in several parts of the country, public roads are often used on Fridays for congregational prayers by Muslims, adding that such practices have largely been accommodated as part of Nigeria’s religious diversity.

The body argued that any legislation regulating religious expression in public spaces should be implemented uniformly across all faiths to uphold the principles of equity, fairness and justice.

The institute also anchored its position on biblical teachings, citing Jesus Christ’s Great Commission in Mark 16:15, which commands believers to preach the Gospel throughout the world as it further referenced the biblical account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26–39 as evidence that Christian evangelism has historically taken place during travel and in public settings.

While acknowledging concerns over noise pollution, harassment, coercion and obstruction in public transport, ICTF insisted that such issues should be addressed through impartial regulations governing all forms of public conduct, including religious, commercial and political activities, rather than by prohibiting Gospel preaching.

The organisation urged the Federal Government to embark on extensive consultations before taking any decision on the proposed legislation.

It recommended that the consultation should involve the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the Institute of Christian Theological Fellows (ICTF) Nigeria, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), constitutional lawyers, civil society organisations, transport unions and representatives of other faith communities.

ICTF also appealed to Christians across the country to remain peaceful, prayerful and law-abiding while pursuing constitutional and lawful means of protecting their rights.

The institute further called on Nigerians to promote mutual respect and accommodation, stressing that the right to religious expression should always be exercised with due regard for public safety and the rights of other citizens.

The statement concluded with a prayer for divine wisdom for Nigeria’s leaders, expressing hope that justice, peace, liberty and equity would continue to guide national governance. It also prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the Federal Republic of Nigeria.