Bishop Wale Oke, the president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, has criticized the National Assembly for the proposed law that would forbid preaching in commercial buses, saying that Christians would still spread the gospel in spite of the law.
Speaking at a church sermon on Sunday, Oke insisted that preaching the gospel remained a divine mandate and vowed that PFN members would oppose any attempt to enforce the law.
“Make all the stadiums in Nigeria become prisons; if you want to enforce that law, we are coming. We will break that law. 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.”
“You don’t go after killers; you are not going after those beheading; you are not going after rapists; you are not going after kidnappers. You are not going after bandits who are unlawfully carrying arms. You are going after us who are preaching the message of peace that changes people’s lives. We wouldn’t listen to you. You are not God!
“Those promoting that law, God will cut them off. We will rain curses upon you and your family unless you repent. This law, we will break it.”
Recall that the Senate recently clarified that the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act’s ongoing amendment does not introduce a new provision prohibiting preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles. The Senate insisted that the offenses have been part of Nigerian law since 2007.
Spreading the good news is of utmost importance, regardless of the location. Whether on buses, streets, or any other place, soul-winning opportunities are abundant everywhere. The message of hope and salvation should not be restricted by boundaries or bans. It is essential that the government recognizes the significance of evangelism and considers supporting this vital mission, as winning souls for God is a cause worth pursuing in any setting.
