Meta Description: Abbas has withdrawn a controversial bill that proposed a jail term for individuals who refuse to sing the national anthem, following widespread public outrage.
The Counter Subversion and Other Related Bills, which aimed to make it a criminal offense to refuse singing Nigeria’s reintroduced national anthem, has been withdrawn by Tajudeen Abbas; the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The speaker succumbed to intense resistance and indignation that followed the proposal of a contentious bill mandating a decade-long imprisonment for individuals who declined to sing the recently reintroduced national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee”.
In May, Abbas and other federal lawmakers passed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law at separate chambers alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
President Bola Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 on May 29, 2024. This bill reverts back to Nigeria’s old national anthem “Nigeria, we hail thee” from its current one “Arise, O Compatriots”. The signing was made in commemoration of the first anniversary of their present government.
The action taken received criticism from numerous Nigerians who argued that it was an incorrect allocation of resources and would not solve the country’s socioeconomic or security issues. They vehemently opposed changing the national anthem to “Nigeria, we hail thee” and pledged to keep singing “Arise, O Compatriots.”
The President stated that the most recent national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee,” symbolizes our diversity and how we come together as brothers and sisters with all of our unique traits.
Abbas presented the Counter Subversion and Other Related Bills to encourage the recitation of the reintroduced anthem in July. Despite reportedly passing through second reading, respected figures such as former Minister Oby Ezekwesili and activist Aisha Yesufu pushed back against it.
After considering the current circumstances of the nation, Musa Krishi released a statement on Wednesday in which he withdrew the contentious proposal to penalize individuals who refuse to sing the reinstated anthem. This decision was made following public backlash and criticism.
Krishi stated that Abbas’s choice demonstrates his dedication to maintaining the fact that the House is genuinely representative of the people.
Abbas recognizes the importance of the issues raised and acknowledges the attention drawn by this Bill, asserting that he will never endorse any measures capable of upsetting our country’s tranquility and coherence.
It is announced to the public that introduced on July 23, 2024, the Counter Subversion Bill and other related ones have been withdrawn.
