The Nigerian House of Representatives has introduced the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which proposes severe penalties, including a 10-year prison term and a N5 million fine, for individuals who refuse to recite the national anthem or destroy national symbols.
This bill has sparked significant debate over its implications for civil liberties and national unity.
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In a move that has stirred controversy, the Nigerian House of Representatives has put forward the Counter Subversion Bill 2024. This proposed legislation mandates a 10-year prison sentence and a N5 million fine for those who refuse to recite the national anthem or destroy national symbols.
Additionally, the bill stipulates fines and imprisonment for various unauthorized actions, including setting up illegal roadblocks and forcefully taking over public spaces.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the bill’s sponsor, has defended the legislation, asserting that it aims to protect national unity and integrity. The bill also includes provisions against defacing places of worship with the intent to incite violence and other subversive activities. Anyone found guilty of these offenses could face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison term, or both.
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Further, the bill targets unauthorized traffic duties and illegal curfews, with violators subject to fines of N2 million or imprisonment for up to five years. It also criminalizes the forceful takeover of public or private properties, including places of worship and schools, with offenders liable to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for up to a decade.
The legislation also penalizes individuals who align with organizations that undermine Nigerian sovereignty. Such individuals could face a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for four years.
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This bill follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent reinstatement of Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which was first adopted in 1959 and dropped in 1978.
The Counter Subversion Bill 2024 is scheduled for its second reading, where its principles will be further debated. The proposed legislation has already ignited discussions regarding its potential impact on civil rights and national cohesion.
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