The House of Representatives has withdrawn the Counter Subversion Bill and other related draft legislation proposing 10-year Jail Term for Non-recitation of national anthem.
The Bill, sponsored by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbas proposed that anyone found guilty of refusing to recite the national anthem shall be fined N5 million, face a 10-year prison sentence, or both.
It also proposed that anyone who destroys a national symbol or a place of worship shall be liable to the same punishment.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, disclosed that in response to the voices and concerns of the people, the Speaker decided to withdraw the Bill.
He said, the 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 prioritised listening to the citizens and fostering unity. His decision reflects his commitment to ensuring that the House remains truly the People’s House.
“He 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 is hereby notified of the withdrawal of the Counter Subversion Bill and other related ones introduced on July 23, 2024”, the SA stated in the statement.
