The Senate has dismissed claims that the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act seeks to ban street preaching or introduce a new restriction on hawking, explaining that the controversial provisions already exist in Nigeria’s road traffic laws.
The clarification came amid growing public debate and concerns over sections of the amendment bill currently before the National Assembly, with some commentators suggesting that the legislation could criminalise religious preaching in public spaces.
In a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, lawmakers said the interpretation being circulated was inaccurate and did not reflect the intent or content of the bill under consideration.
According to the Senate, the provision relating to preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles is not a new addition to Nigerian law but a continuation of existing regulations aimed at protecting road users and ensuring safety within public transportation systems.
The upper legislative chamber explained that both activities have long been addressed under the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007, as well as the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012.
Officials noted that the provision was previously listed as Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the 2007 Act and has merely been renumbered as Item 49 under the ongoing amendment process.
The Senate stressed that the proposed legislation should not be interpreted as an attempt to restrict religious freedom or prohibit preaching in public places.
According to the statement, the focus of the provision is limited to activities carried out inside commercial vehicles where they may pose safety concerns to passengers, drivers and other road users.
“The bill does not outlaw street preaching as being alleged in some quarters,” the Senate stated, adding that the objective of the law remains the promotion of road safety and the prevention of distractions that could contribute to accidents.
Lawmakers said the amendment should be viewed within the broader context of efforts to improve transportation safety standards across the country rather than as an attempt to regulate religious expression.
The Senate also addressed claims linking the controversial provision to the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
According to the statement, the proposed amendment did not originate from the Senate Leader and should not be attributed to him personally.
The chamber explained that the legislation is a concurrence bill that was first considered and amended by the House of Representatives before being transmitted to the Senate for further legislative action.
As a concurrence bill, both chambers of the National Assembly must agree on its contents before it can proceed to the next stage of the legislative process.
“The bill is not an initiative of Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. It originated from the House of Representatives and is undergoing the normal legislative process requiring Senate concurrence,” the statement said.
The Senate further emphasised that the amendment process remains ongoing and has not yet reached its final stage.
It encouraged individuals, civil society groups, religious organisations and other stakeholders with concerns about any section of the bill to engage constructively with lawmakers and submit their observations through established legislative channels.
According to the Senate, public participation remains an important component of lawmaking and provides an opportunity for citizens to influence legislation before it is eventually passed.
The chamber assured Nigerians that all views and concerns raised during the process would be considered in line with democratic principles and legislative procedures.
The clarification comes as public attention continues to focus on the proposed amendments, with debates centring on the balance between road safety regulations and constitutional rights.
By reaffirming that the provision already exists in current laws, the Senate said it hopes to correct misconceptions surrounding the bill and encourage informed public discussion based on the actual contents of the proposed legislation.
Lawmakers maintained that the amendment is primarily intended to strengthen road safety administration and improve compliance with traffic regulations rather than introduce new restrictions on lawful religious or commercial activities outside the context of commercial transportation.
Senate Clarifies Road Safety Bill, Says Street Preaching Not Banned
