by Peace Olatunji

Despite the withdrawal of the Counter Subversion Bill sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, public reactions have continued to trail.
Recall that the controversial Counter Subversion Bill disclosed that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, or refuses to recite the national anthem and pledge, would be fined up to N5 million and face 5 to 10 years prison sentence or both.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have begun calling for the abolishment of the bill while describing it as “anti-people” and a “decree in democratic society”.

What the bill stipulates

The Bill “stipulates that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing a place of worship with intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.”

The Bill also “states that anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction”.

Also, any person who “forcefully takes over any place of worship, town hall, school, premises, public or private place, arena, or a similar place through duress, undue influence, subterfuge or other similar activities, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both.”

“A person who professes loyalty, pledges or agrees to belong to an organisation that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for a term of four years or both.”

“If you protest or set up an illegal roadblock, or perform unauthorised traffic duties, impose an illegal curfew, or organise an “unlawful” procession, you will be subjected to 5 years in prison with N2m fine or both upon conviction,” it added among others.

Why the introduction?

The bill was introduced to target activities perceived as threats to national security, stability, or public order.

Meanwhile a public affairs analyst, Comrade Ahmed Adeyemi, during an appearance earlier today on the Diamond Breakfast Show, expressed his disapproval on the bill. He noted that the bill was targeted at the those who might plan to instigate another hunger protest in the country.

“What the speaker is trying to do, he is trying to target the protest. The protest has come and gone and is bye gone”, he said.

Adeyemi emphasized that the protest, a fundamental human right of citizens, was fueled by hunger. He added that the government has a huge role to play in solving the current hunger crisis in the country.

“It is hunger that caused the protest, and it is the fundamental human right of citizens of this country to go about protesting against hunger”, he said.

“But bringing a counter subversion bill cannot squash those things. It is hunger that has driven all these things. What we need is, the Government should look at ways where they can improve the livelihood of Nigerians. This is the main crisis we have.”

The bill also aims to impose stringent penalties on Nigerians who fail to recite the newly approved national anthem or abuse politicians or community leaders. Ahmed described the anthem issue as “diversionary.” “You cannot force citizens to learn the anthem.”

Edited by Nedu Okorie

Link to the programme