LP Senatorial Candidate Ikezue Condemns Bill Equating Bus Preaching with Hawking
By Chizoba Njaka
The Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Ven. Tochukwu Sagacious Ikezue, has condemned a provision in a proposed National Assembly public order and transport regulation bill that reportedly classifies preaching in commercial buses alongside street hawking as offences of the same category.
Speaking with journalists in his constituency on Monday, July 20, Ven. Ikezue described the provision as a violation of the constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression, arguing that it undermines the values of faith and conscience protected under the 1999 Constitution.
He expressed disappointment with Christian lawmakers who supported the bill, asserting that they had failed to defend the constitutional right to propagate one's faith as guaranteed under Section 38 of the Constitution.
According to him, preaching and hawking are fundamentally different activities, stressing that while hawking is a commercial venture involving the sale of goods, preaching is a means of offering spiritual guidance, hope and moral encouragement. He maintained that although commercial activities may be regulated, religious expression remains a constitutionally protected right.
Ikezue warned that equating preaching with hawking effectively portrays the Gospel as a public nuisance, a position he described as unacceptable in a democratic society. He therefore urged Christian senators to publicly dissociate themselves from the provision and initiate legislative steps to repeal it.
The Labour Party candidate also called on the National Assembly to amend any aspect of the proposed legislation that criminalises or equates preaching in commercial buses with street hawking. He further urged religious organisations to be more discerning in endorsing political candidates, noting that religious titles alone do not guarantee commitment to defending the rights and values of the people.
Highlighting the significance of public transport as a platform for religious outreach, Ikezue observed that many residents of Anambra Central encounter messages of hope and encouragement during their daily commutes. He argued that protecting the freedom to share such messages is essential to safeguarding citizens' constitutional rights.