Bishop Wale Oke fires back at proposed preaching restrictions, says Christians will obey God over man
The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, has issued a defiant response to the proposed restriction on preaching in commercial buses, vowing that Christians will not bow to what he called “evil decrees” and will continue evangelising everywhere – buses, streets, and beyond.
Speaking during a church sermon on Sunday, the fiery cleric declared that no legislation would silence the gospel, insisting that believers are duty-bound by divine command.
“Our Master told us to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. You sit somewhere there, and you are saying we shouldn’t preach in buses? We will preach in buses. We will preach everywhere because you are making evil decrees. We will rather obey God than man,” Oke thundered.
Christians Under Attack? PFN Leader Fires Back
The PFN president did not hold back in his criticism of the National Assembly, accusing lawmakers of misplaced priorities.
“You do not go after killers; you are not going after those beheading people; you are not going after rapists or kidnappers. Instead, you are going after those preaching the message of peace that changes lives. We wouldn’t listen to you. You are not God,” he declared.
Oke warned that Christians would resist any attempt to enforce the law and urged those behind the proposal to reconsider their stance.
What the Bill Actually Says
The controversy stems from the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act, which reportedly proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading, or preaching inside commercial vehicles.
However, the Senate has moved to clarify that the provision is not new – it has existed under the FRSC Act and the National Road Traffic Regulations since 2007. According to a statement from the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, the amendment only seeks to update existing legislation.
Other Christian Leaders Join the Fight
Bishop Oke is not alone in his opposition. Other prominent Christian leaders have also voiced strong objections:
· Dr. Paul Enenche – Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has argued that evangelism remains a fundamental Christian obligation and warned against policies restricting peaceful gospel preaching in public spaces.
· Bishop David Oyedepo – Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has consistently maintained that soul-winning is central to the Christian faith, urging believers to remain committed despite perceived opposition.
A Battle of Principles
The brewing clash between religious freedom and public order regulations has ignited a nationwide debate, with many Christian groups viewing the proposal as an attack on their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression.
As the Senate moves forward with the amendment, the question remains: Will the government enforce a law that has long existed but rarely been implemented – or will it back down in the face of widespread religious opposition?
For now, Bishop Oke and the PFN have drawn a clear line in the sand – and they’re not stepping back.
