House of Reps withdraws Bill for imprisonment over national anthem
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has withdrawn the controversial Counter Subversion Bill, which stipulated that any Nigerian who refused to recite the national anthem could face a ₦5 million fine, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.
The withdrawal followed significant outrage and opposition to the proposed legislation, which many described as draconian and anti-democratic.
The Bill, sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, was set for its second reading, where its general principles were to be debated.
READ ALSO: Reps propose 10-year imprisonment for failure to recite national anthem
According to the proposed legislation, anyone who destroys a national symbol or a place of worship would be liable to the same punishments outlined in the Bill.
The Bill “stipulates that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing a place of worship with the intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of ₦5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.”
The Bill also “states that anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorized traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organizes an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of ₦2 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both upon conviction.”
Additionally, any person who “forcefully takes over any place of worship, town hall, school premises, public or private property, arena, or similar location through duress, undue influence, subterfuge, or other similar means, commits an offense and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine of ₦5 million or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.”
“A person who professes loyalty to, pledges allegiance to, or agrees to belong to an organization that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria, commits an offense and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine of ₦3 million or imprisonment for up to four years, or both,” the Bill also states, among other provisions.
However, following the outrage and opposition that followed the planned legislation, the Speaker announced the withdrawal of the Bill on Wednesday.
The withdrawal was announced in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, on Wednesday.
“In response to the voices and concerns of the people, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has decided to withdraw the Counter Subversion Bill and other related draft legislation.
“This decision follows his extensive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders and a careful consideration of the nation’s current circumstances.
“Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, a champion of the people’s interests, has always prioritized listening to the citizens and fostering unity. His decision reflects his commitment to ensuring that the House remains truly the People’s House.
“He acknowledges the significance of the concerns raised and the attention the Bill has garnered, reaffirming that he will never support any action that might disrupt the peace and unity of our nation.
“The public is hereby notified of the withdrawal of the Counter Subversion Bill and other related bills introduced on July 23, 2024,” the statement said.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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