The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, has withdrawn the controversial bill he sponsored earlier in the week. The bill dubbed Counter Subversion Bill and other related matters generated a lot of backlashes when details of the draft became public with many critics labelling it an “anti-free speech” bill.
The bill particularly provides that Nigerians who refuse to recite the national anthem would be liable to 10-year imprisonment, or fined N5million, or both.
The bill also seeks to punish anyone who professes loyalty to an organisation that disregards the country’s sovereignty with four-year imprisonment or a fine of N3 million.
The Speaker, while defending the bill earlier, said it was all-encompassing as it relates to Nigeria’s national security and does not target any group or section of the country.
According to the Speaker’s spokesperson, Musa Krishi, the decision to withdraw the bill followed 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 ones introduced on July 23, 2024,” the statement added.
