RCCG Pastor backs proposed ₦50,000 fine for bus preaching

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

A former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly and Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Remmy Hazzan, has backed the proposed ₦50,000 fine for preaching in commercial vehicles, saying the practice could distract drivers, compromise road safety and put the lives of passengers at risk.

Hazzan also urged Christians to obey the law if the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill 2026 is eventually passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, stressing that respect for lawful authority is a biblical obligation.

Speaking on Monday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Hazzan said Christians had not violated any law by preaching in buses in the past because no such restriction existed, but insisted that compliance would become mandatory once the legislation takes effect.

“The Bible is very clear. We are meant to obey the government. If there hasn’t been any law restricting preaching in buses and we’ve been preaching, it means we have not been breaking any law. If a law comes into force today that says don’t preach in buses, we should respect that law,” he said.

He said churches, including the RCCG, would immediately begin to educate and reorient their members to comply with the law if it eventually comes into force.

“If the law is signed today, we will have to reorient our members. Yes, we can evangelise, but there would now be restrictions on preaching in public buses,” he added.

The cleric defended the proposed sanction, arguing that preaching inside a moving commercial vehicle could divert a driver’s attention from the road and increase the risk of accidents.

“If you look at it logically, you can be preaching and the driver may become engrossed in the message. Every driver needs 100 per cent concentration with no distractions. If you succeed in distracting the driver, you endanger the lives of everyone in the vehicle,” Hazzan said.

He, however, noted that he had not seen the full details of the proposed legislation, saying compliance would ultimately depend on its final provisions.

“Maybe it may not apply to a stationary bus, as we have not seen the details of the law. When we read it, we will be able to streamline our compliance in a way that ensures the law is not violated,” he said.

On the role of the church in governance, Hazzan urged Christians to remain law-abiding while promoting accountability and good governance. He advised churches to avoid partisan politics, saying their primary responsibility is to raise morally upright leaders and provide ethical guidance to members serving in public office.

“You don’t even need to be partisan because partisanship can destroy the church system,” he said.

He also urged churches to continue advocating good governance without identifying with any political party.

“The church should sustain its advocacy for good governance. Without being partisan, let it be known where you stand,” he added.

Hazzan further called on religious organisations to establish internal disciplinary mechanisms for members who abuse public trust or engage in misconduct while serving in public office.

“Every church should have a mechanism for calling its members to order, especially when they get things wrong,” he said.