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House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has withdrawn the Counter Subversion and Other Related Bills, which had sought to punish those who refused to sing the newly introduced national anthem. The move has sparked curiosity about the bill’s fate and the motivations behind its withdrawal.
Facing intense backlash and widespread outrage, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has bowed to pressure and withdrawn the contentious bill that proposed a 10-year prison sentence for individuals who refused to sing the newly reintroduced national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee”.
In May, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and their fellow federal lawmakers gave the green light to the National Anthem Bill 2024, passing it into law in a concurrent move by both legislative chambers.
Coinciding with the one-year anniversary of his government, President Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 on May 29, 2024, effectively reverting the national anthem to its original version, “Nigeria, we hail thee”, from “Arise, O Compatriots”.
The decision to revert to the old national anthem sparked widespread criticism from Nigerians, who deemed it a misplaced priority amidst the country’s pressing socio-economic and security issues.
Many outrightly rejected “Nigeria, we hail thee” and expressed their resolve to continue identifying with “Arise, O Compatriots”.
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President Tinubu maintained that “Nigeria, we hail thee” is an anthem that truly represents the nation’s diverse population, highlighting the unique blend of characteristics that bring Nigerians together as one united family.
In an effort to enforce the adoption of the new national anthem, Abbas introduced the Counter Subversion and Other Related Bills in the green chamber in July. Despite advancing to its second reading, the bill encountered resistance from respected voices, including former Minister Oby Ezekwesili and activist Aisha Yesufu.
In response to the widespread criticism, Abbas’s spokesman, Musa Krishi, released a statement on Wednesday, announcing the withdrawal of the contentious draft legislation.
The bill had sought to penalize individuals for not singing the new national anthem, but was scrapped after careful consideration of the country’s current situation.
Krishi said Abbas’ decision “reflects his commitment to ensuring that the House remains truly the People’s House”.
“He (Abbas) 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 has been advised that the proposed Counter Subversion Bill and related measures, put forward on July 23, 2024, are no longer being considered.
