•It’s  silly flight of fancy— Ezekwesili

•Bill is anti-people — CSOs

•Why I withdrew Bill —Speaker

By Dapo Akinrefon, Gabriel Ewepu & Gift ChapiOdekina

ANGRY reactions, yesterday, greeted the controversial counter-subversion bill seeking penalties for refusing to recite the national anthem, destroying national symbols, or defacing places of worship.

The bill, sponsored by speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, has, however, been withdrawn.

What the bill stipulates

The Bill “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”.

It’s a silly flight of fancy— Ezekwesili

Lampooning the Speaker over the controversial billyesterday, former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, described the bill as irrelevant.

Ezekwesili, who reacted to the bill on her X account (formerly twitter), also described the bill as a “silly flight of fancy.”

She said: “I, for example, have kept my public statement and only stand and sing the real Nigerian National Anthem (Arise O Compatriots), never the colonial and ‘tribal’ one that he and his colleagues conspired with the President and kangarooed into ‘law’ in violation of constitutional processes.

These are anti-people bills— INEMO Foundation

Similarly, the Executive Director of an advocacy group, INEMO Foundation, Dr Opeyemi Adeosun, described the bill as anti-people, adding that poliiticians have taken Nigerians for granted.

Adeosun said: “You know, when I went through the bill, I saw that it doesn’t just make sense to me. So, it’s a good thing that the speaker has taken this path by withdrawing the bill.

Oppression isn’t what they’re voted for- Global Rights

In his reaction,  Executive Director, Global Rights Nigeria, Abiodun Baiyewu, said:  “It was smart of them to withdraw the bill. The art of oppression is not what citizens sent them to the House to perfect. It is sad that our legislators continue to be tone deaf!”

Never should such bill get back to NASS – ActionAid

Similarly, the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN Andrew Mamedu, said: “It is a welcome development that the House of Representatives is withdrawing the bill.

“But the first thing is that the bill is not supposed to have found its way to the House in the first instance because if you go through the bill, it has a lot of anti-citizens clauses.

”If you take a dual citizenship like some Assembly members or their children have dual citizenship, other controversial issues like you cannot have protest, that seems not to be favourable to Nigeria, so you cannot contribute money in that regard.”

Why I withdrew bill—Speaker

The speaker, who gave reasons for stepping down the bill, said the decision followed his extensive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders and a careful consideration of the nation’s current circumstances.

Abbas in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Musa Krishi in Abuja, said: “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.

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