National Anthem abuse, others: Speaker Abbas withdraws controversial bill (Updated)

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has faced a lot of bashing from members of the public on social media over a bill seeking at least 10-year jail term for those who fail to sing or deride the new National Anthem.

Following the scathing criticism, the Speaker has ordered the withdrawal of the Counter Subversion Bill sponsored by him.

Failure to sing the new anthem or mutilating/denigrating any of the national symbols is considered a subversive action and this gets harsh punitive measures with a long imprisonment.

Engaging or sending materials that can lead to regional separation or protest attracts 25 years imprisonment or a fine upto N15m or both for individuals and organizations found guilty.

The bill was presented to the House and gazetted as House Bill 1652 on July 23 alongside three bills sponsored by the Speaker and listed on the same day.

The others 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 his 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.

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“The public is hereby notified of the withdrawal of the Counter Subversion Bill and other related ones introduced on July 23, 2024”.

According to the bill which has 24 clauses, any “person who engages in activities that result to mutual suspicion, mistrust, distrust or intolerance which degenerates into conflict and violence that threatens the corporate existence, peace and security of the Federation of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both”.

The bill also states, “A person who engages in illegal road traffic function, illegal roadblock, imposition of illegal curfew, the conduct of illegal procession, checkpoint, and other similar acts, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N2,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of five years or both.

“From the commencement of this bill, all voluntary or volunteer services groups that seek to provide services under section 3 of this bill shall be registered with the appropriate authority before rendering the service.

“A person who forcefully takes over any place of worship, town hall, school, premises, public or private place, arena, or a similar place through duress, undue influence, subterfuge or other similar activities, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both.

“A person who professes loyalty, pledges or agrees to belong to an organisation that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N3,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of four years or both.

“A person who makes a statement does something or directs or encourages another person or group to do something that will lead to separatist agitation or intergroup or sectional conflict, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 25 years or both.”

It said further, “A person who destroys national symbols; refuses to recite the national anthem and pledge, defaces or abuse a place of worship to cause violence and subvert the Government of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both.”

Clause 9 stipulates that (1) A person who interacts, communicates liaises, associates with locally based cult groups, criminal gangs or proscribed organisations, commits an offence.

A person group or organisation that engages in aggressive, violent or intimidating conduct that results in the death of a person, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to death.

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Furthermore, the bill had planned to ensure that “a person who illegally constructs a structure or takes over a public place, road or fields without permission from the authority in charge of the place, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N1,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of three years or both.

“A person who castigates, instigates, persuades, denigrates, embarrasses or brings into disrepute the leadership of a community, religion, lawful group, local government, State or Federal Government of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N4,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of two years or both”.

Other acts that the law would have imposed punishment include conduct that displays loyalty, pledges allegiance to another country or denounces his loyalty to Nigeria as well as persons who inspire, instigate, encourage or direct defiance, mentor, fund or abet or conspire with any person group or organisation in opposition or destruction of an existing state institution, structures or values by illegal conduct or violent acts.

National Anthem abuse, others: Speaker Abbas withdraws controversial bill (Updated)