Other climes like the UK, Spain, Canada, India and have same legislation – House of Reps Speaker defends bill to penalize Nigerians who do not stand to recite the National Anthem

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has addressed the growing concerns and discussions surrounding the “Counter Subversion Bill, 2024 which he sponsored.

Nigerians on social media have been reacting to the bill, describing it as ‘’Dictatorial”. The bill which passed its second reading, seeks to penalize Nigerians who do not stand and recite the National anthem.  The bill, sponsored by the Speaker of the House “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”.

Reacting to the outcry the bill has generated, the Speaker in a statement released by his media aide, Musa Krishi, on Wednesday, August 14, expressed his appreciation for the interest Nigerians have shown in the Bill, acknowledging that it touches on critical aspects of national security. He stated that similar legislation obtains in other climes such as the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada, Australia, among others. The Speaker stated that the Bill would have to be listed for a second reading, where Members will thoroughly scrutinize its merits and demerits during a debate and that at this stage, members of the House can decide to ‘kill’ or allow the Bill to pass. He stated that if it scales the second reading, it would be referred to the relevant Committee of the House for further legislative action.

Read the statement below

‘’The attention of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D has been drawn to reports in sections of the media about the Counter Subversion Bill, which he sponsored.

The Speaker appreciates the interest Nigerians have so far shown in the Bill, which pertains to our national security.

However, it has become necessary to make the following clarifications, considering the tilted reports and misconceptions about the Bill:

1. The Counter Subversion Bill, 2024 (HB. 1652) was introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D. as the sponsor. Thus, the Bill is still at the introductory stage.

2. The Bill falls within the realm of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework, and it seeks to address subversive activities by associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed groups in Nigeria.

3. Similar legislation obtains in other climes with varied appellations. Such countries include the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada, Australia, among others.

4. The Speaker, and by extension the House of Representatives, which is the People’s House, welcome robust engagements and discussions from Nigerians on the contents of the Bill, and how best to address the concerns raised.

5. By Parliamentary processes and procedures, the Bill would have to be listed for Second Reading, where Members will thoroughly scrutinize its merits and demerits during debate. At this stage, Members can decide to ‘kill’ or allow the Bill to pass. But if it scales Second Reading, it would be referred to the relevant Committee of the House for further legislative action.

6. The Committee must as a matter of responsibility invite the Nigerian public, particularly relevant stakeholders, to a public hearing on the Bill. It is expected that citizens would bear their minds either physically or via memoranda on the Bill. Their inputs would form the basis for the Committee’s report, to be laid on the floor of the House.

7. After the consideration of the report, the Bill will be passed for the Third Reading and forwarded to the Senate for concurrence. If the Senate deems it fit and concurs with the Bill, a clean copy would be transmitted to the President for assent. Mr. President reserves the right to withhold assent to the Bill.

The Speaker assures Nigerians that the Bill is all-encompassing as it relates to Nigeria’s national security and does not target any group or section of the country.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D further promises that the Bill, and indeed any other draft legislation before the House, will pass through all the legislative processes, and Nigerians would have ample opportunity to make their inputs, which will constitute the final consideration (or otherwise) of the Bill.”