Social commentator Aisha Yesufu has boldly declared that she would rather endure two decades behind bars than sing the newly adopted national anthem, which she refers to as President Bola Tinubu’s anthem.
This provocative statement follows reports of a proposed Bill, introduced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, which is currently awaiting its second reading. The Bill seeks to impose severe penalties, including up to 25 years in prison or a fine of N10 million, for individuals found guilty of making statements or taking actions that incite separatist movements or instigate conflict among different groups in Nigeria.
According to Reports, the proposed legislation outlines that anyone who damages national symbols or refuses to recite the national anthem and pledge could face fines of N5 million or a decade-long prison sentence, or both.
In response to this legislative move, Yesufu expressed her disdain, stating she would prefer incarceration over reciting the anthem. She took to X to share her thoughts: “I would choose 20 years in prison rather than sing Tinubu’s anthem passed by slaves masquerading as lawmakers in the National Assembly.”
The activist has openly rejected the recently adopted anthem, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee.’ During a recent event, she was filmed sitting while others stood in reverence for the new anthem, a clear sign of her dissent. Later, she posted a clip of the moment on her official X account, simply captioning it: “Not my anthem.”
