ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has withdrawn the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which was introduced in the House on July 23
Abbas, in a statement by his media aide, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, said the withdrawal of the bill and other related proposed legislations was as result of extensive consultation with stakeholders.
The Bill, which was exclusively reported on Tuesday, prescribes 25-year imprisonment or N10 million fine, or both, for any person convicted for making statement or taking an action that leads to separatist agitation or inter group or sectional conflict in the country.
The proposed legislation sponsored by Abbas, states that any person who mounts an illegal road block, engages in illegal road traffic function, imposes illegal curfew, or conducts illegal procession, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of N2million or five years jail term or both.
However, the proposed legislation has been generating concern in the polity, following report. The Speaker, in an earlier statement, also signed by Krishi, on Monday morning, reacting to the backlash on the bill, said the parliament was open to a robust debate on the bill.
“Similar legislation obtains in other climes with varied appellations. Such countries include the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada and Australia, among others.
“The Bill would have to be listed for second reading, where members will thoroughly scrutinise its merits and demerits during debate. At this stage, members can decide to ‘kill’ or allow the Bill to pass. But, if it scales the second reading, it would be referred to the relevant Committee of the House for further legislative action.
“The Committee must, as a matter of responsibility, invite the Nigerian public, particularly relevant stakeholders, to a public hearing on the Bill. It is expected that citizens would bare their minds either physically or via memoranda on the Bill. Their inputs would form the basis for the Committee’s report to be laid on the floor of the House.
“After considering the report, the Bill will be passed for the third reading and forwarded to the Senate for concurrence. If the Senate deems it fit and concurs with the Bill, a clean copy would be transmitted to the President for assent. Mr. President reserves the right to withhold assent to the Bill.”
Before its withdrawal, the Bill attracted widespread condemnation.
On its verified X handle, Amnesty International said: “The misplaced and ill-timed Counter Subversion Bill 2024 sponsored by the Speaker House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas will be open to vague and broad interpretations and can be used to impose incredibly harsh punishments simply for criticizing the Nigerian authorities.
“Amnesty International urges the House of Representatives to focus the legislature in the direction of addressing deep poverty which pushes millions to the brink of starvation. At a time millions of Nigerians struggle to feed, such a legislation relegates the well being of the people In the countries where such a legislation is implemented, the law is being used to target political opponents and punish those who peacefully express views which differ from those of government. The law had always — and everywhere turned out to be a tool of repression.”
Human rights lawyer, Inihebe Effiong, also condemned the bill, saying: “Parliamentary coup plotters are out again to overthrow our democracy with this silly and draconian bill. I am hoping that Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings, will unanimously reject and resist this insane bill.
“Those who are subverting our country through corruption and anti-people actions, are seeking to further cripple our fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The Speaker of the House of Reps wants to destroy whatever is left of Nigeria’s democratic experiment. We must fight and reject this bill in its entirety. If this ungodly bill is passed, we can officially kiss the right to dissent in Nigeria goodbye.”
Investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, said, “There was never any intention of trying to pass this bill, and it had a 0% chance of passing anyway. The purpose of this Nollywood drama was to give Nigerians the illusion of a “victory” and thus defuse the motivation for another protest. It was a distraction,” while human rights lawyer, Abdul Mahmud, said; “This government suffers from subversive and counter-subversive hysteria. If it isn’t, why does it consider legitimate opposition to its anti-people policies, civic protests and citizens’ unrest as subversion and then proposes the Counter-Subversion Bill 2024? Confounding?
What a government!”
Abbas, in another statement later on Monday announced its withdrawal.
The statement read: “In response to the voices and concerns of the people, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has decided to withdraw the Counter Subversion Bill and other related draft legislation.
“This decision follows his extensive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders and a careful consideration of the nation’s current circumstances. Speaker Abbas, a champion of the people’s interests, has always prioritised listening to the citizens and fostering unity. His decision reflects his commitment to ensuring that the House remains truly the People’s House.
“He 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.”
