Amid growing public dissatisfaction, Speaker Abbas, through his spokesman Musa Krishi, announced the withdrawal of the bill on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
Abuja, Nigeria –The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has withdrawn the contentious Counter Subversion and Other Related Bills, which sought to criminalize the refusal to sing Nigeria’s newly reintroduced national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee.”
This decision follows widespread public outcry and opposition to the bill, which prescribed a 10-year jail term for non-compliance.
The introduction of the bill sparked heated debates across the country, with many Nigerians, including prominent figures such as former Minister Oby Ezekwesili and activist Aisha Yesufu, strongly criticizing the move.
Critics argued that the legislation was a misplacement of priorities, especially considering the nation’s ongoing socio-economic and security challenges.
HIn May 2024, the National Anthem Bill, which reverted Nigeria’s national anthem to the old “Nigeria, we hail thee” from “Arise, O Compatriots,” was passed into law by both chambers of the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2024.
The decision to revert to the old anthem, according to President Tinubu, was meant to represent the nation’s diversity and unity.
However, the reintroduced anthem faced significant pushback from Nigerians who preferred to retain “Arise, O Compatriots.” The controversy deepened in July when Speaker Abbas introduced the Counter Subversion Bill as a means to enforce the recitation of the new anthem.
The bill reportedly passed its second reading but faced strong opposition from various quarters. Former Minister Oby Ezekwesili criticized the bill as “a silly flight of fancy,” while activist Aisha Yesufu vowed she would rather face imprisonment than sing the reintroduced anthem.
Amid growing public dissatisfaction, Speaker Abbas, through his spokesman Musa Krishi, announced the withdrawal of the bill on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
The statement highlighted that the decision was made after “careful consideration of the nation’s current circumstances.” Krishi emphasized that Abbas remains committed to ensuring that the House of Representatives truly represents the will of the people.
“He (Abbas) 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 statement read.
The public has been officially notified of the withdrawal of the Counter Subversion Bill and other related legislation introduced on July 23, 2024.
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