MURIC Blasts Christian Groups Over Opposition to Bus-Preaching Bill, Urges Tinubu to Sign into Law
By KEMI KASUMU
It also appealed to human rights advocates and other Nigerians to support what it described as a measure aimed at safeguarding lives and preserving public decency.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised Christian organisations opposing the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act that seeks to prohibit preaching in commercial buses, describing their stance as “selfish” and contrary to public safety.
In a statement issued on Monday July 20, 2026 and copied to The DEFENDER by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights organisation expressed surprise over the opposition of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) to the proposed legislation.
According to MURIC, the bill is intended to promote road safety, maintain public order and reduce distractions capable of contributing to road accidents and religious tension.
The group argued that opposing the proposed law amounted to placing religious interests above the safety and well-being of commuters.
“We are shocked that any civilised person, particularly Christian leaders, would oppose an initiative designed to protect Nigerians from road accidents and religious crisis,” the statement said, describing the opposition as “selfish, myopic and parochial.”
MURIC alleged that preaching inside commercial buses has become part of an aggressive evangelism strategy aimed at attracting more converts and increasing church membership. It further claimed that churches already have sufficient avenues for evangelism and should not turn commercial vehicles into places of worship.
The organisation also cited examples from the United Kingdom, claiming that public preaching capable of causing disturbance could attract law enforcement action under existing public order regulations. It referenced incidents involving Nigerian preachers in London to support its position that similar restrictions exist in other countries.
The group maintained that Nigeria should strengthen the enforcement of laws promoting public order and respect for shared public spaces.
MURIC further alleged that opposition to the bill was driven by concerns that restrictions on bus preaching could reduce opportunities for evangelism and, by extension, church growth and financial contributions from members.
The organisation urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard calls for the rejection of the bill and instead assent to it once presented for presidential approval.
It also appealed to human rights advocates and other Nigerians to support what it described as a measure aimed at safeguarding lives and preserving public decency.
Concluding the statement, MURIC quoted Isaiah 5:20, urging Christian leaders to reconsider their opposition and stressing that the debate should focus on public safety rather than religious interests.
