Senate Clarifies Who Sponsored ₦50,000 Fine for Preaching

The Senate has clarified that the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, did not sponsor the controversial proposal seeking a ₦50,000 fine for people convicted of preaching, hawking or trading inside commercial vehicles.

The clarification follows widespread criticism of the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with many Nigerians expressing outrage over the proposed penalties amid the country’s economic challenges.

Speaking on the controversy, Sen. Adaramodu said the proposal did not originate from him or Sen. Bamidele, stressing that the bill was brought before the Senate after originating from the House of Representatives.

The senator also cautioned Nigerians against assuming that a proposal debated on the floor of the National Assembly automatically becomes law.

Sen. Adaramodu said: “No, look, when things are brought into the floor of the Assembly, and it is debated, after debate, it does not translate to law automatically.”

He explained that bills must go through several stages before becoming legislation, including consideration by the relevant committees and concurrence between both chambers where necessary.

According to him, where differences arise between the Senate and House of Representatives, such issues must be harmonised before a bill can proceed to the president for assent.

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He further noted that resolutions arising from motions are advisory and do not automatically have the force of law.

Addressing claims circulating on social media, Sen. Adaramodu specifically rejected reports attributing the controversial proposal to himself and Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele.

He said: “Even erroneously, some people are saying, because I saw it on social media, that it is the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Yemi Adaramodu who proposed it. How?

“I find that baffling because I did not raise my hand, nor did the Senate leader. The two of us didn’t propose any motion.”

The clarification comes amid continuing public debate over the proposed penalties for preaching, hawking and trading inside commercial vehicles.

The provision has drawn criticism from religious groups, civil society organisations and members of the public, particularly over the inclusion of preaching alongside commercial activities.

However, the Senate has maintained that the controversial provision is not new, claiming that it has been contained in the FRSC Act since 2007.