Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has officially withdrawn the controversial Counter Subversion and Other Related Bills, which sought to criminalize the refusal to sing Nigeria’s reintroduced national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee.” The bill, which prescribed a 10-year jail term for non-compliance, faced widespread opposition and criticism from the public and prominent figures.
The bill was initially introduced following the reversion to the old national anthem, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2024, during the one-year anniversary of his administration. However, the move was met with backlash, as many Nigerians viewed it as a misplaced priority amidst the country’s pressing socio-economic and security challenges.
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In response to the public outcry, Abbas, through a statement by his spokesman Musa Krishi, announced the withdrawal of the bill. He emphasized that the decision was made after “careful consideration of the nation’s current circumstances” and reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining peace and unity in the country.
