The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has withdrawn the highly controversial Counter Subversion Bill following widespread public backlash and concerns over the bill’s potential impact on civil liberties in Nigeria. The decision was announced on Wednesday after the bill, which had only passed its first reading, sparked significant debate across traditional and online media.
The proposed legislation had outlined severe penalties, including a 25-year prison sentence or a fine of N10 million, for individuals convicted of actions leading to separatist agitation or inter-group conflict. It also proposed a 10-year prison term or a fine of N5 million for offenses such as refusing to recite the national anthem, destroying national symbols, or inciting violence.
The bill further stipulated penalties for anyone found guilty of activities fostering mutual suspicion, disrupting public order, or undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty, with fines ranging from N3 million to N15 million and prison sentences from four to 20 years.
However, after “extensive consultations” with stakeholders and a careful assessment of the nation’s current circumstances, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen decided to withdraw the bill. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Musa Kirishi, the Speaker emphasized that his decision was in the interest of national unity and peace.
“Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, a champion of the people’s interests, has always prioritized listening to the citizens and fostering unity. His decision reflects his commitment to ensuring that the House remains truly the people’s house,” the statement read.
The Take It Back Movement, a prominent group behind the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest, had earlier condemned the bill, arguing that it threatened fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, movement, and assembly. The group called for the bill to be discarded and urged the government to focus on more pressing issues like hunger and poverty.
In his earlier defense of the bill, Speaker Tajudeen stated that it aimed to bolster Nigeria’s anti-terrorism efforts by addressing subversive activities by various groups. However, in light of the intense criticism, the Speaker ultimately chose to withdraw the bill, reaffirming his commitment to upholding the nation’s peace and unity.
