The House of Representatives speaker has made a u-turn after torrential attacks by Nigerians over his obnoxious counter subversion bill
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Tajudeen Abbas, has made a u-turn after receiving severe backlash from Nigerians for sponsoring a bill that seeks to curb civil liberties and criminalise dissent.
The controversial bill also seeks to criminalise gathering of a wide range of groups, including associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed entities like Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) etc.
The Speaker had earlier reacted to media reports about the ‘counter subversion’ bill sponsored by him, saying there’s no ulterior motive behind the proposed piece of legislation. He also explained that it was all-encompassing as it relates to Nigeria’s national security and does not target any group or section of the country.
In a statement by his media aide, Musa Krishi, released Wednesday afternoon, the speaker said the withdrawal of the bill became necessary in response to the voices and concerns raised by the people.
“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 prioritized listening to the citizens and fostering unity. His decision reflects his commitment to ensuring that the House remains truly the People’s House.”
While acknowledging 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.”
Clearing an already fouled air…
Earlier the speaker’s office tried to give clarification on the motive behind the proposed legilsation. According to a statement, he stood by the contents of the bill which, he said, “pertains to our national security.” He stated that it became necessary to clear the air, considering the “tilted reports and misconceptions about the bill.”
According to him, “the bill was introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. 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. Similar legislation obtains in other climes with varied appellations. Such countries include the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada, Australia, among others.
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. 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.
“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. 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.”
Torrents of backlash…
Activist Aisha Yesufu while reacting to the bill, which stipulates 10-year prison sentence and N5million fine for refusal to recite the revised national anthem, took to X with an attached 45 seconds video of her in an event she attended where the new national anthem was sung but prefers to sit flipping pages of the event programme while others stood in honor of the anthem. she captioned the video #NotMyNationalAnthem. The text on her post read: “Will choose 20 years in prison than sing Tinubu’s anthem passed by slaves masquerading as lawmakers in the National Assembly.”
Also speaking via her verified social media handle, the former minister for education Oby Ezekwesili tweeted, “I am certain that the Speaker of the @HouseNGR @Speaker_Abbas @nassnigeria knows this for a fact. Surely, he must know that the so-called #CounterSubversionBill—alleged to be in its second reading—which he introduced, is a silly flight of fancy that further reveals how unserious and irrelevant the lawmakers are to the Nigerian condition.
“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 @NGRPresident and kangarooed into ‘law’ in violation of constitutional processes. Get ready to ‘prosecute’ me when you pass your noxious #CounterSubversionBill into an Act.
“But before then, please note that if there is any group of Nigerians that deserve a Subversion Act, it is you and your colleagues at @nassnigeria, who consistently subvert the progress of Nigeria and her people through your legendary public misdemeanors that accumulate into bad governance.
“Your citizens have spoken up in unison, asking you and your colleagues in the Executive and Judicial Arms to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria. You obviously have still not heard the ticking chimes of time. Continue with your irrelevancies while the country totters… continue if it pays you.”
What the obnoxious bill stipulates
Sections 2, 5, 6, and 10 of the proposed legislation states that any person who engages in activities that foster mutual suspicion, mistrust, or intolerance, leading to conflict and violence that threatens Nigeria’s corporate existence, peace, and security, commits an offense and is liable to a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison term, or both. It states further:
“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 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.”
“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.”
