President Bola Tinubu’s government is set to pass a bill that seeks to prosecute Nigerians who fail to recite the old national anthem signed into law.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
The bill aims to impose a N5 million fine, 10 years imprisonment, or both on any individual who refuses to recite the national anthem or destroys any national symbols.
In response to the bill currently before the House of Representatives, the Take It Back Movement, a rights advocacy organization behind the just concluded EndBadGovernance protests, has hinted at a fresh nationwide demonstration over the bill.
According to the organisers, they dismissed what the bill represents, saying it threatens the fundamental rights of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the organization, Juwon Sanyaolu, the “bill should be discarded and not be passed into law, rather the government should redirect their efforts toward tackling the underlying factors that contribute to discord and strife within our country.
“As a pro-people’s movement dedicated to justice and progress, we have observed significant public backlash against the bill, as citizens express their discontent.
“We perceive this legislation as an effort to stifle the rights of Nigerians, and we proudly stand with the people in raising our voices to condemn this unfair proposal.
“In solidarity with the people of Nigeria, we unequivocally denounce this proposed repressive legislation and vow to protect the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
“We will stop at nothing to protect whatever is left of our democratic rights as Nigerians, including mobilizing Nigerians to the streets if this draconian bill is not withdrawn immediately.”
The Counter Subversion Bill 2024 is being sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and is scheduled for the second reading.
