Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries criticised a proposed 2026 traffic offence bill that includes a provision to ban preaching in public buses, warning that any attempt to stop Christians from preaching in buses could create unrest and undermine religious freedom.
Speaking during a Sunday service in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Ibiyeomie condemned the proposed legislation, which has generated debate over its provision seeking to prohibit preaching in public buses. He argued that lawmakers should focus on tackling insecurity, poverty and hunger instead of introducing measures affecting religious activities. He also urged Christians to become more involved in politics to safeguard their interests.
Expressing his opposition to the proposal, the cleric said, “If you want peace, allow Christians alone as we allow Muslims. Are you aware that they said you should not preach in buses? That is a stupid law. I will not be alive to see Christ being humiliated.”
He continued, “Nigeria has got things so wrong. The so-called men in the assembly, I don’t know where they kept their brains. If they attempt that in Nigeria, that we will not preach in buses, tomorrow they will say we should not share handbills.”
The Salvation Ministries founder also questioned why other forms of public religious expression had not attracted similar scrutiny.
“When they put loudspeakers outside, nobody is talking, and Christians are keeping quiet. I will never be alive to see Christianity being humiliated in Nigeria, never,” he said.
Warning against enforcing the proposed measure, Ibiyeomie added, “If they do it, some of us will leave. If you want peace, since we allow the Muslims to put microphones and nobody shouted, Christians will preach. If they say Christians should not preach, then they go their way, we go our way. But I will not be alive as a preacher not to see this gospel being preached. They should not promote such laws if they don’t want chaos in Nigeria.”
The pastor also criticised the government’s handling of broader national issues, saying greater attention should be given to the country’s economic and security challenges.
He said, “Go ask your president if I have taken one dime from him, so I can talk. You can’t take money from a man and talk to him. Ask him if I have taken one naira from him.”
He further stated, “So listen, if they don’t wake up and stop all this rubbish law, South Africans are killing Nigerians, nobody is talking. Nigeria is one of the poorest nations on earth, nobody is talking. They are even saying we are not suffering, when people cannot feed and they say we have the best time in Nigeria.”
Continuing his remarks, Ibiyeomie said, “Nigeria is in the most difficult time and all of them are keeping quiet. When Jonathan was there, they were shouting, ‘it has come’. Now everyone is quiet. Even preachers are quiet, all the preachers are quiet because they know the truth. I will never be a tribalistic preacher.”
He concluded by saying, “As we allow Muslims, also allow other Christians. I have told you before, they want to turn Nigeria to an Islamic nation. When Jonathan was there, they were rioting. Now who is rioting? Even a madman knows that Jonathan was better than this.”
The proposed restriction on preaching in public buses has continued to generate public debate, with supporters citing concerns over public order and opponents raising questions about freedom of religious expression. Ibiyeomie’s remarks add to the growing reactions surrounding the proposal.
Ademide Adebayo
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