The Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has criticised a proposed 2026 traffic offence bill containing a provision that seeks to prohibit preaching in public buses, warning that such a move could threaten religious freedom and create tension.
Ibiyeomie spoke during a Sunday service in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he expressed opposition to the proposed restriction and urged lawmakers to focus more on issues such as insecurity, poverty and hunger rather than measures affecting religious activities.
The cleric also encouraged Christians to participate more actively in politics to protect their interests and ensure their voices are represented in governance.
Reacting to the proposed legislation, Ibiyeomie questioned the decision to restrict preaching in public transport, arguing that such a measure would amount to discrimination against Christians.
“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 said.
He further warned that introducing restrictions on Christian preaching could lead to wider limitations on religious expression.
“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 pastor added.
Ibiyeomie also questioned why other forms of public religious activities, including the use of loudspeakers, had not received similar attention.
“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.
The Salvation Ministries founder warned that enforcing the proposed restriction could provoke resistance, insisting that Christians should be allowed to practise their faith freely.
“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,” he stated.
The pastor also criticised the government’s handling of the country’s economic and security challenges, saying more attention should be directed towards issues affecting citizens’ livelihoods.
He maintained that he was free to criticise government policies because he had not benefited financially from the administration.
“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,” he said.
Ibiyeomie further raised concerns over poverty, insecurity and the treatment of Nigerians abroad, arguing that these issues deserved greater focus from leaders.
He accused some religious leaders of remaining silent on national challenges and said he would not allow tribal or political considerations to influence his views.
The cleric concluded by calling for equal treatment of all religious groups, insisting that Christians should enjoy the same freedom of expression granted to other faith communities.
The proposed restriction on preaching in public buses has continued to attract debate, with supporters arguing that it could improve public order, while critics say it raises concerns about freedom of worship and expression.
