In a note of defiance, bringing to memory the 1st Century Apostles who refused to be cowed by the Jewish authorities who demanded an end to preaching in the name of Jesus, President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke has called on Christians to continue preaching in buses and everywhere.

This is in response to the move by the National Assembly to pass a bill seeking to ban preaching in commercial vehicles in Nigeria, citing need to ensure safety on the roads. But reacting to the plan by the lawmakers, Bishop Oke denounced the proposed bill, urging Christians to disregard such decision and continue to preach everywhere, including buses.

He said Christians are prepared to be hauled into prisons in defiance of the proposed bill seeking to ban preaching in commercial vehicles, as God has mandated believers to preach everywhere, and would obey God rather than man.

Many other leaders in the Christian community have also condemned the proposed bill by the lawmakers, urging them to focus on how to end insecurity and other socio-political and economic challenges facing the country instead of chasing shadows.

Earlier, the Northern Christian Association, NCA, had faulted the proposed bill, calling it a misplaced priority and a threat to constitutional freedoms.

Rev. Hayab said that at a time when Nigerians are battling insecurity, poverty and hunger, the National Assembly should focus on more urgent national challenges instead of restricting religious expression.

He questioned the understanding of lawmakers regarding their constitutional duties. “I ask myself whether our National Assembly really understands what it means to be lawmakers,” he said.