Speaker Abbas Withdraws Bill Proposing Prison Terms For Insulting Public Servants, Refusing To Recite National Anthem, Others

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has officially withdrawn the controversial Counter Subversion Bill, which proposed severe penalties for those who refuse to recite the national anthem and pledge.

The bill, which had sparked widespread reactions, prescribed a 10-year jail term, a fine of N5 million, or both for non-compliance.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Musa Krishi, spokesperson for the Speaker, revealed that the decision to withdraw the bill came after “careful consideration” of the public’s concerns.

Krishi explained that the Speaker had extensively consulted with various stakeholders before making the decision.

“In response to the people’s voices and concerns, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has decided to withdraw the Counter Subversion Bill and other related draft legislation,” the statement read.

Krishi further emphasized that Abbas acknowledges the significance of the concerns raised and the attention the bill had garnered.

“He reaffirmed that he will never support any action that might disrupt the peace and unity of our nation,” he added.

The controversial bill was introduced on July 23, 2024, and quickly became a subject of intense debate and criticism, with many Nigerians expressing fear that it would be used to suppress freedom of expression and dissent.

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