Breaking: Abbas withdraws bill seeking jail term for failing to recite national anthem, others

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has ordered the withdrawal of the bill aimed at stipulating punishment for those who failed to recite the national anthem, who destroyed national symbols otherwise known as ‘Counter Subversion bill’.

The bill would have prescribed between two and twenty-five years imprisonment or a fine of between N2 million and N15 million on either individuals or organizations, or the options passed on those found guilty of the offences.

The objective of the bill, According to the copy of the bill is aimed at (I)Provide for a legal and institutional framework to detect, prevent, investigate, criminalize, prosecute, and sanction subversive and related activities; and regulate the procedure and determine how the provisions of this Act shall be carried out”.

The bill has been gazetted in the house as House Bill 1652 on the 23rd of July alongside three bills sponsored by the Speaker and listed on the same day.

The parts of the bill are, counter sabotage bill 2024 (HB 1651), counter-insurgency bill 2024 (HB 1653) and Espionage (Prevention and Prohibition) bill 2024 (HB 1654).

After an initial statement explaining that the bill was not targeted at any individual or group, the Speaker issued another statement withdrawing the bill.

The statement titled: “Withdrawal of the Counter Subversion and Other Related Bills” signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said he was withdrawing the bill in response to the voices and concerns of the people.

The statement said: “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”.