Nigerian House Of Reps Speaker Abass Bows To Pressure, Withdraws Controversial Counter Subversion Bill

 

Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has withdrawn the controversial counter subversion bill.

In a statement from Musa Abdullahi Krishi, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, on Wednesday, Abass said, “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 prioritised listening to the citizens and fostering unity. His decision reflects his commitment to ensuring that the House remains truly the People's House.

It 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.

It was gathered that on Tuesday that the House of Representatives had introduced the Counter Subversion Bill 2024. This proposed legislation stipulates that individuals found guilty of failing to recite the national anthem will face severe penalties, including a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.

Additionally, the proposed legislation stipulates that individuals who vandalise or destroy national symbols or places of worship shall face identical penalties, including a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.

The Bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, which is set for its second reading, where its general principles will be debated, “stipulates that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing a place of worship with intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both”.

The Bill also “states that anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction”.

Also, any 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 million 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 million or imprisonment for a term of four years or both,” it added among others.

Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general elections, earlier described the bill as "buffoonery" and predicted that it will lead to an earlier-than-expected resurgence of the #EndBadGovernance movement.

Reacting to the House of Representatives’ introduction of the Counter Subversion Bill, Sowore in a post on his X account on Wednesday, said, “The buffoonery of this “House of Twerps” is the reason #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernancelnNigeria revolt might resume earlier than usual.”

Sowore also called on the federal lawmakers to promptly withdraw the proposed controversial legislation or face a shutdown of the National Assembly.

“I am asking them to discontinue the bill as soon as possible or face a shutdown of the National Assembly,” he said.