Abbas withdraws bill prescribing jail term for refusal to sing reintroduced anthem

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has withdrawn the controversial Counter Subversion and Other Related Bills which seeks to criminalise refusal to sing Nigeria’s reintroduced national anthem.

Following the public uproar the bill generated today, August 14, the Speaker in a statement released by his spokesman Musa Krishi, on Wednesday, August 14, withdrew the controversial draft legislation the prescribed jail term and fine for those who refuse to sing the reintroduced anthem after “careful consideration of the nation’s current circumstances. Krishi said Abbas’ decision “reflects his commitment to ensuring that the House remains truly the People’s House”.

“He (Abbas) 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.”