A former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly and Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Remmy Hazzan, has backed the proposed N50,000 fine for preaching inside commercial vehicles, saying Christians should obey the law if the Federal Road Safety Corps Amendment Bill 2026 eventually receives presidential assent.
Speaking on Monday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Hazzan said the church would reorient its members to comply with the law if it eventually comes into force.
“The Bible is very clear. We are meant to obey government. If there hasn’t been any law restricting preaching in buses, and we’ve been preaching, that means that we’ve not been breaking any law. If a law has come in today that says don’t preach in the bus, respect that law.”
He added: “If the law is signed today, we will have to do some reorientation of our people in the church. Yes, we can evangelize, but there has been restriction now in public buses.”
Responding to concerns over why preaching should be classified under traffic-related offences, the cleric argued that safety considerations justified the proposal .
“The reason is because if you look at it logically, you can be preaching and the driver too will get engrossed in the message you are passing and every driver needs 100% concentration, no distraction and if you succeed to distract the driver, you endanger the lives of every occupant of the vehicle.” he explained. While noting that he had not seen the full details of the legislation, Hazzan said compliance should ultimately be guided by the final provisions of the law.
“Maybe that may not apply to a stationary bus as we have not seen the details of the law. Maybe when we read it, we’ll be able to streamline our compliance in the way that the law will not be broken.”
Beyond the proposed legislation, Hazzan stressed that Christians have a responsibility to obey lawful authority while remaining active participants in nation-building.
He argued that churches should focus on raising morally upright leaders, promoting good governance and holding public office holders accountable, rather than embracing partisan politics.
“You don’t even need to be partisan in any manner whatsoever because partisanship can even destroy the church system.” he stated.
According to him, churches should continue advocating for good governance while providing moral guidance for members serving in public office.
“The church should also sustain their level of good governance advocacy. Without being partisan, just let it be known where you stand.”
He further urged religious organisations to establish internal mechanisms for correcting members who abuse public trust.
“Every church should have a mechanism for calling their members to order, especially when they get things wrong.”
